Last week, the Wisconsin Senate passed a joint resolution on second consideration that would ensconce in our state constitution a provision requiring a photo ID in order to vote. The Assembly is scheduled to vote on the proposal this week. If the Assembly passes it, the resolution will go to the voters on a statewide referendum this April. The referendum needs only a simple majority vote of the electorate to amend the constitution.

While we have a law requiring a photo ID to vote, putting this provision in the Constitution pretty much assures that a rogue court can’t wave a magic wand and somehow deem the law unconstitutional. Making law this way bypasses the governor and his frequently-used veto pen.