Report: Over 140,000 in Wisconsin Could Vote in 2024 Without ID Due to Loophole

A recent report by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has highlighted a substantial loophole in Wisconsin’s election laws that could potentially allow over 140,000 voters to cast ballots in the upcoming 2024 election without providing identification.

Loophole in Wisconsin Election Laws

The loophole centers around a provision that permits voters to self-identify as Indefinitely Confined. This status, originally intended for elderly, sick, or physically unable voters, allows individuals to receive absentee ballots indefinitely without the need to show an ID.

Increase in Indefinitely Confined Voters

The number of Wisconsin voters registered under the indefinitely confined status has seen a significant increase since 2016. Back in 2016, approximately 66,000 voters were registered this way. That number surged to 265,979 in 2020, particularly in Democratic strongholds where clerks were reported to have encouraged the use of this loophole to bypass voter ID requirements.

Supreme Court Rebuke

This practice did not go unnoticed. The Supreme Court unanimously rebuked the exploitation of this loophole, emphasizing the importance of preventing any method that could undermine the integrity of the voting process.

Election Integrity Concerns

The WILL report emphasizes that the loophole presents a significant risk to election integrity. Will Flanders, the Research Director at WILL, stated that voter ID laws are essential for maintaining secure and fraud-free elections.

Non-Compliance with State Law

One of the critical issues mentioned in the report is the non-compliance of certain counties with state laws that require the removal of voters from the indefinitely confined list under specific circumstances, such as failing to return an absentee ballot or voting in person.

Current Voter Numbers

As of the latest report, approximately 144,347 voters remain on the indefinitely confined list.

Election Context

The timing of this report is particularly notable given the upcoming election, with polls indicating a tightly contested race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Wisconsin, less than two months before Election Day.

Policy Intentions vs. Reality

While the indefinitely confined status was designed with good intentions to assist voters who genuinely needed it, the system has demonstrated vulnerabilities that could undermine election integrity. Resolving these flaws is crucial to ensure that the electoral process remains fair and secure.