To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).
Summary
AJR1 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters in Wisconsin to present valid photographic identification before casting a ballot in any election. The acceptable IDs would have to be established by law, but the amendment specifies that qualifying photo IDs could be issued by Wisconsin, the federal government, a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in Wisconsin, or a Wisconsin college or university. It also allows the legislature to create exceptions to the photo ID requirement.
The resolution further provides that voters who cannot present valid photo identification on election day must be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. That ballot would not be counted unless the voter later presents valid photo identification at a time and place set by law. Because AJR1 is a second-consideration constitutional amendment, it was intended to be approved by the 2025 legislature and then submitted to voters for ratification at the April 2025 election, with the ballot question specifically asking whether the constitution should be amended to require photo ID for voting subject to statutory exceptions.
Impact
If adopted, AJR1 would amend Article III of the Wisconsin Constitution by creating section 1m and would elevate the state’s photo identification voting requirement from ordinary law to constitutional status. It would preserve legislative authority to define acceptable forms of identification and to establish exceptions, while also requiring a provisional-ballot process for voters lacking ID on election day. The amendment would affect all qualified electors, election administrators, and the statutory framework governing voter eligibility, ballot counting, and election-day procedures.
Sentiment
The bill appears to reflect strong support among Republican legislators, as shown by the large number of Republican authors and cosponsors. The measure’s structure and ballot language indicate a clear policy preference for tightening voter identification rules while retaining some flexibility through statutory exceptions and provisional ballots. No committee transcript or recorded vote details were provided, but the bill’s advancement as a second-consideration constitutional amendment suggests it had already received prior legislative approval and was part of an ongoing effort to place the issue before voters.
Contention
The central point of contention is the requirement that voters present photographic identification to vote, which is a recurring and politically divisive election policy issue. Supporters are likely to view the amendment as a safeguard for election integrity and public confidence, while opponents may argue it could create barriers for eligible voters who lack the required ID or face difficulty obtaining it. Additional debate may focus on the scope of acceptable IDs, the legislature’s authority to create exceptions, and whether the provisional-ballot cure is sufficient to protect access to the ballot.
Crossfiled
To create section 1m of article III of the constitution; Relating to: requiring photographic identification to vote in any election (second consideration).
Requiring each resolution adopted by the legislative assembly proposing a constitutional amendment and each initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment to be comprised of a single subject.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to requiring each resolution adopted by the legislative assembly proposing a constitutional amendment and each initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment to be comprised of a single subject.