Wisconsin elections board pushes voter ID information ahead of spring primary

MADISON — Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board is pushing to inform people about new voter photo ID requirements with two weeks left before the spring primary.The board held a news conference Monday, February 1st to re-launch its "Bring It to the Ballot" campaign, which it started in 2011 when the law passed."It's a simple message, and it resonates," Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy said.

Federal judge dismisses voter ID challenge

MADISON — A federal judge has dismissed portions of a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's photo identification requirements for voters.One Wisconsin Institute Inc., Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund and a half-dozen voters filed a lawsuit in June alleging a host of changes Republicans made to Wisconsin election laws burden black people, Hispanics and Democrat-leaning voters.U.S. District Judge James Peterson issued an order Thursday, December 17th -- saying he has granted the state's motion to dismiss a portion of the lawsuit challenging voter ID requirements because a federal appellate court has already upheld the mandate in a separate case.But Peterson rejected the state's request to dismiss another section of the lawsuit alleging the state has no basis for excluding technical college, out-of-state and certain expired identification cards from the list of valid photo identification.Attorney General Brad Schimel praised the decision:

“There is a lot at stake:" Democrats plan days of action with one year left until 2016 election

WASHINGTON – This week, Democrats are kicking off “Keep America Moving Forward” days of action to mark one year out from the November 2016 elections.According to officials with the Democratic National Committee, across the country this week, Democratic state parties will be holding a variety of engagement activities to spread the word to their friends and neighbors about the importance of protecting the economic improvement under President Obama's leadership, and to continue creating economic opportunity for the middle class.DNC officials say it’s clear that Republican presidential candidates are set on reversing those gains and dragging our country back to economic policies like tax cuts for the super-wealthy that already proved disastrous under previous Republican presidents.“Keep America Moving Forward” events across the country are designed to look to the future, mobilizing, energizing, and engaging voters through voter registration, volunteer recruitment, training and other events, DNC officials say.

County Board committee approves amendment to arrange free bus rides for voter registration, ID

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Board Committee on Finance, Personnel, and Audit on Thursday, October 29th approved a budget amendment that requires the Milwaukee County Transit System to develop a proposal to arrange free bus rides for people traveling to receive voter identification documents or registering to vote.“Voter suppression is real in Wisconsin, and we need to do everything we can to ease the burden on those who want to vote,” said Supervisor Khalif Rainey, sponsor of the amendment. “By providing free bus rides for people to get proper voter ID or to register to vote, we will enhance the chances that those people will be able to take part in the democratic process.

Federal judge denies civil rights group's request to let voters use more forms of ID at polls

MADISON — A federal judge has denied a civil rights group's request to let voters use more forms of photo identification at the polls.The American Civil Liberties Union had asked U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman to declare technical college IDs, out-of-state driver licenses and veterans photo IDs are acceptable forms of photo identification at the polls.Adelman refused, ruling Monday, October 29th that so far no one has said technical college IDs aren't acceptable; the out-of-state request is moot because the plaintiffs who raised it have U.S. passports they can use at the polls; and lawmakers were within their rights when they excluded veteran IDs.ACLU attorney Sean Young says the organization is considering its appeal options.

Mark your calendar: Milwaukee Theatre to host Republican presidential debate in November

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Theatre will be the site of a Republican presidential primary debate on the evening of Tuesday, November 10th.FOX Business Network (FBN) will partner with the Wall Street Journal to host the debate.The debate will focus on jobs, taxes, and the general health of the economy, as well as domestic and international policy issues.Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

U.S. Supreme Court lets Ho-Chunk video poker decision stand

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A court decision to let the Ho-Chunk Nation offer video poker at its Madison casino will stand after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case.The Wisconsin State Journal reports the Supreme Court refused to take case on Monday with no comment.

Paul Ryan, Republicans move forward with plan to defund Planned Parenthood

KENOSHA -- Congressman Paul Ryan says he and fellow Republicans are moving forward with a new plan to defund Planned Parenthood.At a town hall-style meeting Monday in Kenosha, Ryan delivered tough news to Republican voters frustrated by their party's inability to make good on campaign promises.

Wisconsin voter ID fight goes before federal court

MILWAUKEE — Opponents of Wisconsin's voter identification law have argued in federal court that the legislation is improperly restrictive and should be expanded to allow more forms of ID to be used at the polls.The case Monday represents the latest push from the American Civil Liberties Union against a law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov.

New Marquette Law School poll shows Walker leads GOP candidates

MILWAUKEE -- The latest Marquette University Law School poll was released on Thursday afternoon, August 20th -- and it shows Gov.

"We feel really good:" Gov. Walker started his day at the fair, and he'll end it at the debate in Ohio

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Political experts say the key for Governor Scott Walker in the first GOP presidential debate Thursday, August 6th in Cleveland is to prove he can win the presidency.There are 17 declared Republican presidential candidates. 10 were selected to take part in the debate.

“We are thrilled:" Democrats schedule six primary debates; one in Wisconsin

WISCONSIN -- Democrats will hold six presidential debates beginning October 13th in Nevada -- and one of them will be held in Wisconsin.Democratic National Committee Chair Rep.