To: Mark Gottlieb, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Governor Tony Evers
Expand DMV hours in Wisconsin for Voter ID
Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb and Governor Scott Walker,
In light of the recent ruling that allows implementation of Wisconsin's Voter ID law just 7 weeks before election day, we respectfully request that you offer extended hours at all of Wisconsin's 92 DMV service center locations.
Voters who do not have a photo ID that meets the Voter ID law's requirements will need to obtain an ID card or driver's license through the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles prior to election day. Unfortunately, many residents do not have reasonable access to a DMV service center prior to election day due to limited hours of operation.
As you know, Wisconsin has just 92 DMV locations statewide, and 49 of those operate just 2 days a week. Four of those offices are open just 6 days a year, with one open as few as just 3 days during the year. 48 of Wisconsin's 72 counties do not have a DMV office open full-time. Offices in 2 counties are not open at all before election day, and others will be open just 3 times before the November election.
That is why we are calling on you to immediately institute expanded business hours, including the addition of some weekend hours, at every DMV location in the state.
The right to vote is a fundamental freedom ensconced in our State Constitution, so it is critical that all citizens of our state have ample opportunity to acquire the photo identification now required to exercise their right to vote.
In light of the recent ruling that allows implementation of Wisconsin's Voter ID law just 7 weeks before election day, we respectfully request that you offer extended hours at all of Wisconsin's 92 DMV service center locations.
Voters who do not have a photo ID that meets the Voter ID law's requirements will need to obtain an ID card or driver's license through the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles prior to election day. Unfortunately, many residents do not have reasonable access to a DMV service center prior to election day due to limited hours of operation.
As you know, Wisconsin has just 92 DMV locations statewide, and 49 of those operate just 2 days a week. Four of those offices are open just 6 days a year, with one open as few as just 3 days during the year. 48 of Wisconsin's 72 counties do not have a DMV office open full-time. Offices in 2 counties are not open at all before election day, and others will be open just 3 times before the November election.
That is why we are calling on you to immediately institute expanded business hours, including the addition of some weekend hours, at every DMV location in the state.
The right to vote is a fundamental freedom ensconced in our State Constitution, so it is critical that all citizens of our state have ample opportunity to acquire the photo identification now required to exercise their right to vote.
Why is this important?
Just 7 weeks before election day, a panel of 3 judges from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction, allowing Wisconsin's Voter ID law to go into effect for the November 4th election. Voters who do not have a photo ID that meets the law's requirements will need to obtain an ID card or driver's license through the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles prior to election day.
But there is a catch. Wisconsin has just 92 DMV locations statewide, and 49 of those operate just 2 days a week. Four of those offices are open just 6 days a year, with one open as few as just 3 days during the year. 48 of Wisconsin's 72 counties do not have a DMV office open full-time. Offices in 2 counties are not open at all before election day, and others will be open just 3 times before the November election.
That is why we are calling on Department of Transportation officials and Governor Walker to immediately institute expanded business hours, including the addition of some weekend hours, at every DMV location in the state.
But there is a catch. Wisconsin has just 92 DMV locations statewide, and 49 of those operate just 2 days a week. Four of those offices are open just 6 days a year, with one open as few as just 3 days during the year. 48 of Wisconsin's 72 counties do not have a DMV office open full-time. Offices in 2 counties are not open at all before election day, and others will be open just 3 times before the November election.
That is why we are calling on Department of Transportation officials and Governor Walker to immediately institute expanded business hours, including the addition of some weekend hours, at every DMV location in the state.