Photo ID rules apply to Nov. 4 election

County Clerk Kim Pytleski is urging voters in Oconto County to make sure they have the acceptable photo ID necessary to vote in the Nov. 4 election. On Sept. 12, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the photo ID law that has been enjoined by the courts since March 2012. On election day, voters must provide one of the following photo IDs before they can cast a ballot: Wisconsin driver’s license, Wisconsin state ID card, military ID card or U.S. passport. The IDs are valid even if they expired after Nov. 6, 2012, the date of the most recent general election. The following forms of photo ID are also acceptable, but must be unexpired: certificate of naturalization, driver’s license receipt issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, ID issued by a federally recognized Wisconsin Indian tribe or photo ID issued by a Wisconsin accredited university or college. An acceptable photo ID is not required to include a current address. Individuals who do not have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license or state ID can receive a free state ID from the local Department of Motor Vehicles if they specifically request a free ID for voting purposes. Voters must present photo ID for in-person absentee voting, just like on election day. In-person absentee voting can begin the third Monday before the election and end at 5 p.m. or the close of business, whichever is later, the Friday before the election. In-person absentee voting hours vary in Oconto County. Municipal clerks can be contacted for specific hours. When voters request an absentee ballot by mail, they must include a photocopy of their photo ID with the request or the ballot cannot be mailed. Voters who are “indefinitely confined” because of age, illness, infirmity or disability and voters in care facilities may have their absentee witness verify their identity instead of providing a copy of their photo ID. Active members of the U.S. Armed Services who are away from home are also exempt from the photo ID requirement. For more information regarding the Voter ID law, call the county clerk’s office at 920-834-6806 or visit the Wisconsin Government Accountability’s Voter ID website, www.bringit.wisconsin.gov.