The Government Accountability Board requested funds Tuesday to launch a statewide multimedia campaign to educate Wisconsin voters about the new voter ID law in time for November’s elections.
The agency asked for $460,800 from its 2013-’15 budget to help implement the voter ID law, according to a release.
The campaign aims to remind voters to bring identification to the polls and to tell people how to get a free ID without a birth certificate, Director Kevin Kennedy said in the release.
The board submitted its request to the Joint Committee on Finance, which is responsible for reviewing all state appropriations and revenues.
Joint Committee on Finance Co-chairs State Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and State Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, said in a statement Wednesday they look forward to the GAB’s presentation on voter ID.
The GAB plans to send instructions to Wisconsin’s 11,000 absentee voters telling them to provide a photocopied photo identification with their ballot.
However, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., expressed her concerns in a letter to the GAB Wednesday, saying the board will neglect to properly follow up with absentee voters regarding the change.
Moore said in the letter she hopes the GAB will consider being flexible with the new ID requirement in case absentee voters are not reached. According to the GAB website, absentee voters who do not submit a photo ID will not have their ballots counted.
While the GAB waits for the JFC to approve the campaign budget, the board is working with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association to purchase two weeks of airtime, according to the statement. The public service announcements could begin airing Oct. 2 on Wisconsin TV and radio.
