Email Senator Holperin; Madison: 126 South, State Capitol Mail: PO Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882; District: P.O. Box 1256 Eagle River WI 54521 Madison Phone: (608) 266-2509, or (800) 334-8773; District Phone: (715) 891-1412
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Birth Record Free If Needed for Voter ID, Holperin Legislation Says
Legislation introduced this week by State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) requires the state Department of Health Services or County Registers of Deeds to provide copies of birth certificates free to individuals who need the birth record to get a state I.D. card for voting purposes. Copies of birth certificates normally cost $20.
“When legislation was approved earlier this year requiring most citizens to present a photo I.D. in order to vote, the intent was that there be no cost associated with obtaining a state-issued I.D. card,” Holperin said. “In fact, the voter I.D. law required the state Department of Transportation to issue I.D. cards for free if the card was to be used for purposes of voting.”
Overlooked, however, was the fact that state law also required a copy of a birth certificate costing $20 to be presented in order to get the “free” state I.D. card.
Senate Bill 323 corrects this oversight by assuring that birth certificates as well as the I.D. cards are both available at no cost,” Holperin said.
Holperin said he was encouraged by Governor Walker’s indication this week that Walker thought the free birth certificate legislation seemed reasonable and would likely sign it if passed by the legislature.
