The News: The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) released a new report, “Doing the Math: How Voter ID Laws Affect Turnout in Wisconsin,” which found that since the enactment of Wisconsin’s voter ID requirements 10 years ago, overall voter turnout in the state has increased. Our analysis also found no evidence of disenfranchisement among minority groups or in Dane and Milwaukee counties, countering claims of negative effects on voter participation.
The Quotes: WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, stated, “By analyzing decades of election data both before and after Wisconsin implemented Voter ID, we found a general rise in voter turnout, rather than the widespread disenfranchisement that critics often suggest. Any claims suggesting Voter ID is “voter suppression” are merely political scare tactics aimed at undermining faith in Wisconsin’s elections. Furthermore, it’s worth exploring whether Voter ID can actually increase turnout by strengthening confidence in Wisconsin’s election system.”
Other Findings: The study also found that higher poverty rates and lower education levels were associated with lower voter participation, independent of voter ID requirements.
By analyzing historical voting patterns and conducting statistical analysis, our report sought to address specific claims made by Voter ID opponents and briefly discuss the concept of Voter ID increasing voters’ confidence in our election system.
- No Evidence of a Negative Effect on Minority Voters. There is no evidence of a negative effect on turnout from the implementation of voter ID among non-white Wisconsinites.
- No Evidence of Negative Effect in Milwaukee and Dane Counties. Voter ID laws had no correlation to voter turnout over time when looking at just these counties in isolation.
- External Factors Influence Turnout More Significantly. Socioeconomic factors, such as poverty rates and education levels, have a stronger correlation with voter turnout than voter ID laws.
- Does Voter ID Give Confidence in Elections? Voter ID remains not only popular, but since the law’s enactment, we have seen the slightest increases in voter turnout. This is worth further exploring.
Additional Background: In the Spring 2025 election, Wisconsin will vote on a constitutional amendment to enshrine a voter identification requirement in the state constitution. Voter ID laws have been a point of contention across the United States, with proponents arguing that they ensure the integrity of elections, while critics contend that they disenfranchise vulnerable populations.
Fortunately, Wisconsin has a decade of experience with voter ID that can be called upon to evaluate the accuracy of these claims. This study seeks to explore the relationship between voter ID laws and turnout in Wisconsin, with particular attention to demographic groups that may be disproportionately affected. By analyzing historical voting patterns before and after the implementation of Wisconsin’s voter ID law, this research aims to contribute valuable insights into the ongoing debate over voter access and election security.
About WILL: WILL is a respected and reputable state-based litigation firm in Wisconsin. We have argued and won multiple cases at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and beyond. We have also received national recognition for our work on election integrity, and our comprehensive report assessing the 2020 Presidential Election has been cited by media outlets as well as by election experts from across the country. The WSJ called WILL’s work the best—and most comprehensive—look at the 2020 Presidential Election.
Read more:
