Wisconsin leaders aim to block noncitizen voter registrations

Wisconsin officials are advocating for a systematic approach to verify voter registrations and eliminate noncitizen entries from the rolls. Currently, election commissions lack the ability to cross-check their lists with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which is crucial for identifying approximately 90,000 individuals who are legally present in the state and eligible for a driver's license but may not be eligible to vote. This issue was highlighted during a press conference organized by the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, where various officials discussed the importance of election integrity. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney emphasized the need for a reliable process to maintain the integrity of the electoral system. He noted that while it is challenging for individuals in the country illegally to vote due to their inability to obtain a driver's license, it is equally important to ensure that those legally present but ineligible to vote are also checked. Congressman Tom Tiffany supported this initiative, referencing the SAVE Act, which aims to establish a framework for confirming voter eligibility and ensuring that only citizens are registered. The Wisconsin Election Commission has recently approved a budget request of $2 million for the establishment of an Office of Election Transparency and Compliance. This office would be responsible for overseeing the verification of voter registrations and ensuring compliance with election laws. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt reinforced the necessity of adhering to election laws, stating that each citizen should have only one vote. Overall, the push for enhanced voter registration processes reflects a broader concern for election integrity in Wisconsin, with officials from various sectors advocating for measures that would prevent noncitizen voting and uphold the rule of law in the electoral process.