Is voter ID number accurate?

In Emily Mills’ March 27 column, she said Wisconsin has failed to address voter suppression by failing to educate voters on the voter ID law for the upcoming 2016 elections (“State failing on voter ID,” Crossroads). Among her various recommendations was one that dealt with increased funding for the Division of Motor Vehicles centers.

OK, but let’s start with the basics. What specific problems are we trying to solve and what is the specific cause of voter suppression? These are fair questions to ask as Mills’ assumption is that 200,000 to 350,000 eligible Wisconsin voters lack photo identification. Essentially, her entire 12-paragraph opinion is premised on that one numerical estimate and it drives her to create solutions. The number has been bandied about for years but has never been fully vetted and scrutinized.

Today’s society is quite vocal as there are rallies and protests for almost every group from the veterans, state workers, LGBTs, undocumented immigrants, mothers against drunk drivers, etc.

So here’s the challenge back to Ms. Mills and her liberal community before continuing to utilize blanket estimates: How about mobilizing a rally for these individuals? Let’s see how many legal citizens show up so we can talk to them and vet their rationale for not obtaining a free photo ID. Are there underlying reasons or, as I suspect, is the 200,000 to 350,000 number really bogus?

Again, let’s not throw away taxpayer money at a whim, but use evidenced-based data to solve problems.

William H. Jaeck

Franksville