Trainer reviews acceptable photo IDs, provisional ballots and deadlines

Staff member, election training instructor, reviewed acceptable forms of photo identification and the circumstances that require provisional ballots. The trainer said that certain photo IDs remain acceptable even if expired since the last general election, noting specifically that U.S. passports and uniformed services ID cards may be used if they expired after Nov. 5, 2024. "A Wisconsin driver's license or state I.D. receipt is valid expired and it does not matter what the expiration date is," the trainer said.

The trainer listed additional rules: a certificate of naturalization is valid if issued within two years of the election day; a student ID may be used if the voter can also show proof of current enrollment; and a Department of Veterans Affairs ID must be unexpired or have no expiration date to be accepted. Attendees were told that the Badger book will display the complete list of acceptable ID options during check-in; items not on that list cannot be accepted.

If a voter lacks an acceptable photo ID, the trainer said poll workers must offer a provisional ballot and, if the voter is not yet registered, the voter must complete a paper registration form to be kept with the provisional ballot envelope. "Voters have until 4 p.m. on Friday to provide their photo ID to have their ballot counted by the Board of Canvassers," the trainer said. The trainer emphasized that provisional ballot envelopes should be sealed in their own ballot bag and not with the regular ballots, and that provisional ballot logs must be completed by chief inspectors.

The trainer also noted that confidential voters follow a different check-in process: poll workers should select the confidential voter link on the name and address screen and search by the identification serial number on the voter's card rather than a name search.