Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
A CHART on the bulletin board at Hurley City Hall explains Wisconsin voting requirements.
By RALPH ANSAMI
There will be a key difference between Wisconsin and Michigan rules when voters head to the polls for Tuesday's presidential election.
While Wisconsin allows same day registration for voters, Michigan law requires registration 30 days prior to the election.
Michigan's deadline for absentee ballot requests from registered voters is Saturday at 1 p.m.
Ironwood city offices at the Memorial Building will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday for absentee ballots.
The absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on election day.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wisconsin allows registration at the polls with a driver's license or state ID card.
While most voters have one or both, people who do not and want to vote on Tuesday should bring any identifying documents they have to a Department of Motor Vehicles office to begin the process.
The Wisconsin DMV has developed an online application to guide ID applicants through the application process. The free online service allows state residents to complete and submit an application online, as well as receive a checklist of all documentation required when visiting a DMV service center.
For people who do not have all documents required to obtain a Wisconsin ID card, a petition process is available. People who make use of the process are eligible to receive temporary ID card receipts that serve as valid ID for voting. For those who apply during an election week, the Wisconsin DMV will issue a photo ID receipt by overnight mail on the day that a person makes an application.
First-time voters who are unsure of the process may find informational posters outside the voting booths as handy sources.
At the Hurley City Hall, for example, there's a poster with a rule that says a person can't vote if he or she makes a wager on the candidates, a tough law to enforce.
DOJ assists
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has appointed Assistant U.S. Attorneys to oversee any complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud.
Peter Jarosz will serve as the DOJ election officer for the Western District of Wisconsin, which covers Madison and the western 44 counties of the state.
They will work in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
"Wisconsin's proud history is one of expanding the opportunity to vote, and ensuring that every citizen votes without interference or discrimination," said Western Wisconsin U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots of voters against their wishes, or without their input.
It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.
Federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballots or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
To respond to complaints of voting rights abuses or election fraud, call 608-658-3743.
The FBI will have special agents available throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses.
The FBI in Madison can be reached at 608-833-4600.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington, at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767, by fax at 202-307-3961, by email to [email protected].
