STATE CAPITOL — Late this afternoon, Democrats in the State Senate rejected a motion by State Senator Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) for a vote on Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 17, a constitutional amendment to require voters to present a valid photo ID before voting or registering to vote.

Today’s vote follows a similar motion by Senator Leibham last week, which was gaveled down by the Senate Democratic majority, who adjourned the Senate instead of taking a vote on the resolution.

“I am tremendously disappointed that Democrats in the State Senate will not give the citizens of Wisconsin a voice in protecting their votes,” said Senator Leibham.  “There is concrete evidence that thousands of voters statewide were essentially disenfranchised due to administrative incompetence and vote fraud during the November 2004 presidential election in the City of Milwaukee.  I do not understand how any State Senator could vote to prevent citizens from having their voice heard on a photo ID amendment – a measure that would ensure the integrity of our elections.”

THE ROLL CALL ON THE MOTION TO SUSPEND RULES TO VOTE ON PHOTO IDS:

(The vote to suspend the rules and pull the bill from committee requires a two-thirds vote.  It went down 14-18 with Sen. Roessler not present due to an illness.)