Wisconsin Study Challenges Claims Against Voter ID Laws: No Evidence of Suppression

A fresh study out of Wisconsin, a pivotal swing state, has turned a popular political claim on its head. According to research by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), voter ID laws in the state have not suppressed voter turnout, contrary to repeated allegations from critics.

"The study finds no statistically significant negative impact of Wisconsin’s voter ID law on overall voter turnout," the report concludes. Even more surprising, turnout has actually increased slightly since the law's implementation, challenging the narrative that voter ID rules disenfranchise voters.

For years, opponents of voter ID laws have argued they disproportionately affect minority and low-income voters who may struggle to obtain identification. However, this study found "no evidence of a negative effect on turnout from the implementation of voter ID among non-white Wisconsinites." In other words, the numbers don’t back up the outrage.

The research, spanning 20 years of elections from 2004 to 2024, included both presidential and gubernatorial elections. WILL acknowledged that voter turnout can be influenced by many factors beyond ID laws but emphasized that the study accounted for key variables to isolate the law’s actual impact.

Wisconsin's voter ID laws, enacted in 2011, have faced their share of court battles over the years. But as Will Flanders, research director at WILL, told Fox News Digital, the data simply doesn’t support the idea that these laws are suppressive. "When people make these claims that voter ID is an instrument of suppression, there's really no evidence to back that up," Flanders stated. "Even in areas with higher minority populations, we found no evidence of a negative impact on turnout."

Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action, echoed these findings, noting that similar studies across the nation have reached the same conclusion. "To the contrary, voter ID laws enhance public trust in elections," Snead said, something that can arguably lead to higher turnout and greater confidence in democracy itself.

The broader public seems to agree. National polling consistently shows overwhelming support for voter ID requirements. A recent Gallup poll revealed that over 80% of Americans favor showing photo identification to vote. Similarly, a Pew Research survey found bipartisan support for these measures, with more than 80% of respondents in favor. Closer to home, a Marquette University Law School poll found that nearly 75% of Wisconsin residents back voter ID laws.

On April 1, Wisconsin voters will decide whether to make these laws a permanent feature of the state Constitution. If the polls are any indication, the measure is likely to pass. Clearly, the concept of securing elections resonates with people—despite the political drama swirling around it.