MADISON, WI (AP)-- A federal judge is ripping the state for not training Division of Motor Vehicle workers to provide people with alternative credentials for voting in lieu of photo identification.
State Transportation Department regulations allow people who lack documentation needed for free photo IDs to obtain alternative voting credentials within six days from field stations. Media reports show field workers have given people inaccurate information about how to obtain the credentials.
One Wisconsin Institute has asked U.S. District Judge James Peterson to block the voter ID law amid the reports. State attorneys have countered DOT has since stepped up training.
Peterson told state attorneys during a hearing Wednesday that he's disturbed that the upgraded training began only after OWI filed its request. He says the state has undertaken only minimal efforts unless compelled by litigation.
