Wisconsin law states a student ID can be used for voting, but only some schools issue state-compliant identification.

On some campuses, students need to request a special ID including their photo, legal name, signature, issuing date and expiration date. The time between the issuing date and expiration date was previously limited to two years but a recent change now allows a student to use an expired ID, with proof of enrollment.

Kristin Hansen, a board member of Common Cause Wisconsin, works with college students to help them vote. She said state law makes it difficult.

"This is one of the things that is a mystery is, a school already knows the student is who they say they are, they've already provided identification to the school," Hansen pointed out. "The ID that the school gives should be enough, without all this other nonsense attached to it."

She noted another challenge for students is providing proof of residency, as some can change addresses every year they are enrolled.

Out-of-state students face additional hurdles in registering to vote and using their home state-issued ID. Hansen thinks the bottom line is, Wisconsin's voter ID law is unnecessary.

"If we're going to have a voter ID law and the purpose of the law is to identify a person's name, who they are, match their photo to their name, then I don't see why it has to be a limited number of IDs that are acceptable," Hansen contended.

Molly Ford, an out-of-state senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is familiar with the hurdles. It is her first time voting in a presidential election but she voted in the state's general election two years ago. She said she almost missed one of her class finals, because she had to run back to her dorm to get a document after having already stood in line.

"My friend that was in the class was like, 'You're crazy, I would have just not done that,'" Ford recounted. "And I was like, 'Well, it was important for me to vote in this election.'"

Ford added although her school has been proactive about promoting the student vote, it would be helpful to know more about what exactly is needed to cast a ballot. Voters can check registration information from the state at myvote.wi.gov.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


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A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


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