County Board: Homeless May List County Buildings as Address to Get Voter ID

June 10, 2016
County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan - 608-333-2285
County Board

“Fundamental right to vote” drives unanimous passage

 

Last week the Dane County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to allow people without permanent addresses to list certain County buildings as their address for purposes of obtaining a photo identification, now required to vote in all elections.

 

“Whether you have a home of your own or not, you have a fundamental right to vote,” said County Clerk Scott McDonell, who supported the resolution. “I’m grateful to the County Board for taking this step to ensure that right for every member of our community.”

 

The resolution directs the Department of Human Services to designate which County buildings can be used as a voter ID address.

 

In other business, the Board approved a plan to create public access to Morton Forest, 114 acres of County-owned land near Mazomanie. Stephen Morton donated the land to the County in 1999, and has now donated $25,000 to install a parking lot, gate, kiosk and signage.

 

“I am proud of Dane County’s commitment to natural resources, as well as our commitment to providing opportunity for our citizens to enjoy those resources,” said Supervisor Nikole Jones, who represents the area. “This gem of a forest has been a well-kept secret for far too long, and I’m excited to open it up to hikers and nature lovers. We are all deeply grateful to Mr. Morton.”

 

The Board also approved a resolution to accept grants totaling $39,300 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to build and repair bridges on snowmobile trails over Roxbury Creek and Halfway Prairie Creek.