Uncertainty over Voter ID has Wisconsin poll workers prepared

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Despite the permanent injunction on the Voter ID law, election officials are preparing for possibility that the law is reinstated before the Presidential Primary.

The government accountability board is telling city and county clerks  that all poll workers need to be trained in the voter ID procedures, in the event that the injunction is overturned.

"I don't know how strong of a possibility it is, but we are not going to say there is no way its going to happen," said Reid Magney, GAB spokesperson.

The law was in effect for the February 21 election, but shortly after two separate Dane County judges placed injunctions on it because it is "unconstitutional."

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen appealed both rulings, but the courts have yet to take the appeals up, and in case they do before April 3, election officials want everyone to be ready.

Brown County Clerk Darlene Marcelle said they are prepared, but the back and forth with the law has left them in limbo.

"They are up in the air about it, it's maybe if, maybe not," said Marcelle, "we are told to just do what we've been told, and not require the photo id. However it could be mandated again, so we aren't quite sure what's happening."

While at this point, no photo-id will be required, there are still some parts of the law that will be in place on April 3.  You still have to sign the poll book list, in order to vote you must have lived in the state for 28 days, instead of 10 days, and you will not be allowed to vouch for people who don't have proof of residence.

Marcelle would like to see a permanent decision with the law reached before too long.

"It's unfortunate that they play this game in the courts in Madison, it's unfortunate for the voter, it's unfortunate for all the municipal clerks that are training the poll workers, and it's unfortunate to us, all the 72 county clerks that are readying the elections," said Marcelle.