County Executive
Chris Abele
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele released the following statement in response to a legislative proposal that would prevent Milwaukee County from implementing its municipal identification card program. “Every day activities like obtaining a library card, opening a bank account, and even buying some types of over-the-counter cold medicine require photo identification, yet thousands of people in Milwaukee County, for any number of reasons, are unable to access state or federal government-issued identification, severely limiting their ability to fully participate in and contribute to society.
“I was happy to work with my partners on the County Board and at the City of Milwaukee, along with community advocacy groups like Voces de la Frontera, to find a local solution for this problem.
By establishing and funding a municipal ID program we can help improve quality of life for some of Milwaukee’s most disenfranchised residents.
“While I remain opposed to the state’s voter ID requirements altogether, I understand there are concerns about the potential use of these IDs for voting purposes. Those concerns are unwarranted.
Municipal identification cards were never intended to replace other government-issued IDs, are not eligible for use as voter identification, and are fully funded in the County’s budget – these ID cards simply allow people to live their lives with a little more dignity and provide more opportunities for economic security.
That is why I am opposed to proposed state legislation that would limit Milwaukee’s ability to implement the municipal ID program.”