Voter ID confusion concerning to clerks

WLUK TV

Updated: Mar 26, 2012 5:56 PM

NEENAH — In just over a week voters will once again head to the polls. As it stands now they won't have to bring a photo ID unlike the primary in February.

It's frustrating and confusing according Neenah City Clerk Patty Sturn.

"The unknowns with the voter ID law as it stands now we're removing everything to do with the voter ID law, but from what I hear it could possibly be in effect by April 3," Sturn said.

Sturn says she normally has five volunteers working at each of Neenah's six polling places on election days. But Tuesday she says she'll have seven and one of the reasons is because of confusing changes in the voter ID law.

But GAB spokesman Reid Magney says if the photo ID portion of the voter ID law is not put back into effect before next Tuesday, everything should run smoothly.

"What we have consistently been telling clerks is, train your poll workers on the procedures on checking photo IDs, however unless you hear otherwise from us, do not actually check the photo IDs," said Magney.

But the uncertainty has clerks like Sturn, scrambling. She's replacing signs telling voters they need a photo ID with signs that now say they don't.

"I feel like I'm somewhat ready, but that could all change by the end of the week and it's completely out of our hands, we have no say in it, it is completely up to the GAB," she said.

Voters still need to meet the new 28 day residency requirement to vote. They also must sign the poll books to get a ballot. Both requirements are part of the new voter ID law and are still in effect.

Sturn says Election Day will require plenty of patience for poll workers and voters alike.

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