Chairman Steil Demands Answers on Whether Temporary Residents Can Vote in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) sent a letter to the Wisconsin Elections Commission demanding clarification whether Limited Term and Non-Domiciled ID cards - which are only issued to temporary visitors - can or cannot be used as proof of residency for voter registration purposes. Chairman Steil is also requesting that the Wisconsin Elections Commission provide immediate guidance to municipal clerks on this issue.

Excerpts from the letter read:

"... I write today seeking immediate clarification whether the Limited Term and the Non-Domiciled Identification ("ID") cards can be used as an acceptable proof of residency for voter registration purposes."

"Limited Term and Non-Domiciled ID cards are only issued to individuals who are temporary visitors. To protect the integrity of Wisconsin's elections, Wisconsin law prohibits individuals from voting if they are present only for temporary purposes. Such individuals should not be voting in our elections or deciding the future of our State."

"An elector's residence is defined by their domicile. In other words, the elector's 'habitation must be fixed, without any present intent to move, and to which, when absent, the person intends to return.' In that same vein, Wisconsin law prohibits individuals from becoming a resident if they are present only for temporary purposes. These provisions exist to ensure only permanent residents of Wisconsin can vote in Wisconsin's elections rather than any temporary visitor."

"As such, it would appear contrary to Wisconsin law for these IDs to serve as valid proof of residency to register to vote in Wisconsin."

"Media reports have indicated that your office has failed to give direction on how to handle these applications. Americans deserve confidence in our elections, and clear rules and guidance can help improve that level of confidence. Inaction from your office risks ineligible persons being registered to vote and exposes clerks to undue criticism on an issue that could have been avoided."

Read the full letter here.

Background:

Wisconsin law requires every eligible voter to be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old who has resided in an election district or ward for 28 consecutive days before an election. Eligible individuals are required to provide proof of identification and residency in order to register to vote. Proof of identity can be satisfied with a valid driver license or ID card issued by Wisconsin. For proof of residence, any individual who is issued a Limited Term or Non-Domiciled ID card has been classified as a Temporary Visitor and is thus ineligible to register to vote.

Wisconsin municipal clerks approached the Wisconsin Elections Commission for guidance on this issue, but it was not provided.

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