A couple of weeks back, WWII veteran Leo Olson of Reedsburg, Wisconsin was turned away when he tried to vote in the state's primary election because the recent voter identification laws in the state recognize his veteran ID as valid.
Turns out that Leo's niece is state Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who wrote in a letter to Governor Scott Walker, "It makes no sense to me that this proud patriot with a veterans card displaying his photo would be turned away from the polls and denied the right to vote."
The letter continues: "He considers voting part of his patriotic duty. Yet, last week this proud patriot of 90 years of age was embarrassed and confused when he went to the polls and was denied his right to vote. When he presented his veterans administration card with his picture on it, he was told that the card was not listed as 'acceptable' proof of his identity. He responded: 'You mean veterans can't vote?'"
According to Milwaukee's Journal-Sentinel newspaper, Judge Bradley says her 90-year-old uncle fought at Iwo Jima. At 90, he's most likely retired from driving. The law permits voters to use Wisconsin driver's licenses, state-issued ID cards, military IDs, passports, tribal IDs, naturalization certificates or limited types of college IDs, provided they also have documentation they are currently enrolled in school.
Many states have passed Voter ID laws with strong public support. Should a veterans ID card allow a citizen to vote in every state? Sound off!
