Voting law changes that could stress you out

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Posted: Mon 5:47 PM, Oct 22, 2012

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Reporter: Alyssa Fenske Email

Updated: Mon 6:47 PM, Oct 22, 2012

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Voting law changes that could stress you out

LA CROSSE, Wis (WEAU)- The election race to the finish has begun. Polls show Obama and Romney neck in neck with the final debate tonight. But before you head to the polls make sure you are aware of some of the changes and special rules for presidential voting.

Wisconsin voters may know that the photo ID law has been struck down and isn’t a requirement for the November 2012 election, but what about the ban on corroboration?

Corroboration, is the term for when a parent, family member, or friend who is already registered vouches for someone who doesn’t have the materials to prove residency themselves.

A student who’s parents are still paying the bills would be someone who might need to use corroboration to show proof a residency to vote.

Corroboration has now been banned, and Onalaska City Clerk, Cari Burmaster says it’s state wanting to tighten up regulations and bring fraud levels down.

“Although I don’t think a lot of fraud happens locally,” said Burmaster.

UW-La Crosse students Olivia Yorton and Sarah Sandquist can no longer rely on their parents to vouch for them so they are being extra cautious with registering.

“I’m going to print off my proof of residency just in case I didn’t get registered already,” said Yorton.

“I’m printing off my proof of residency, bringing my drivers license, and everything the day of voting because I haven’t registered yet,” said Sandquist.

Burmaster says the ban on corroboration isn’t the only thing people going to the polls should know about,

“Other newer laws require voters to sign the poll book, and they have changed the residency rule to 28 days. It used to be 10 days,” said Burmaster.

In-person absentee voting will be available at your local city clerk’s office until November 2nd,
but no ballots will be counted until election day itself.

“They are stored in the vault until Election Day and in the morning taken out to the poll places and processed just as if the voter was at the polls,” said Burmaster.

To make sure you can vote go to myvote.wi.gov .

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