So you need a photo ID to be able to vote to recall Scott Walker, or to be able to vote in the spring elections for local offices and judges?
Better start now, because the odds stacked heavily are against you.
It turns out that what you may need to get a photo ID in Wisconsin is -- ready for this? -- a photo ID.
Here's the Government Accountability Board's list of what is acceptable ID at the polls under the new law:
•A Wisconsin DoT-issued driver license
•A Wisconsin DoT-issued identification card
•An identification card issued by a U.S. uniformed service
• A U.S. passport
•An unexpired identification card receipt issued by Wisconsin DoT.
•An identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
•An unexpired identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains the following: Date of Issuance, signature of Student, expiration date not later than two years after Date of Issuance.
> So, how do you get one of those Wisconsin-DOT issued ID cards? Let's ask DOT:
Obtaining an identification (ID) card
Any Wisconsin resident who does not hold a valid drivers license from Wisconsin or another jurisdiction may request a photo ID. There is no age limit to apply for an ID card.
When applying, it will be necessary to provide: Proof of name and date of birth, for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate, valid passport or certificate of naturalization.
Proof of identity (usually a document with a signature or photo).
Proof of Wisconsin residency.
Proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal temporary visitor status.
Your social security number.
If you had a passport you wouldn't need the ID, so you'll need a birth certificate if you were born in the US. If you have one, great. But if not, what do you need to get a copy of your birth certificate? The Dept. of Health Services explains:
What identification is required when applying for a certified or uncertified copy of a birth certificate?
A current valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, containing a picture, a current address, and an expiration date is required when applying in person.
A photocopy of the applicant's current valid photo ID must accompany all mail applications.
So you need a birth certificate to get a photo ID, but you need a photo ID to get a biirth certificate.
Any questions?
And if you were born in Puerto Rico, don't even think about it.