Wisconsin’s Fall Primary Election Have an ID to Vote

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds voters to check and be sure that they have the proper identification needed to vote in next month’s state primary election (August 9).

Wisconsin driver licenses or IDs are the most common form of identification used for voting purposes. A federally compliant REAL ID card is not required to show at the polls. The Wisconsin Elections Commission notes other forms of identification are valid for voting, such as military or student ID cards. To see if a card meets the requirements, visit the Wisconsin Elections Commission website.

Voters looking to get their first Wisconsin ID can turn to DMV for help. To obtain an official ID card, there are documentation requirements such as a birth certificate. If all documentation is not readily available, the ID Petition Process (IDPP) may be used to obtain a receipt valid for voting while the remaining documents or verifications are obtained.

DMV offers this service and ID cards for voting purposes free of charge. DMV’s toll-free Voter ID hotline at (844) 588-1069 is available for questions on obtaining an ID to vote.

Milwaukee County Launches Revamped Balancing Act Tool to Encourage Public Input in 2023 Budget Process

MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee County today launched a revamped version of the Balancing Act, an interactive online tool simulating the process to balance the 2023 budget. The new version of the tool is focused on giving residents a simple, interactive way to provide input on the upcoming 2023 Milwaukee County budget. Balancing Act has been used for past County budgets, the new tool provides users more details on the County’s expenditure categories and revenue options available to the County – as well as their impacts on County residents.

Users will analyze the $1.2 billion operating budget and determine ways to close the County’s estimated $12.6 million annual structural budget gap. Milwaukee County’s structural deficit has compounded over the years, due in part to the imbalance of revenue the County receives from the state and state-imposed caps to raise revenue locally. Without adequate support from the state or the option to use new tools to generate necessary funding going forward, Milwaukee County’s ability to maintain facilities, preserve community assets and provide high-quality services will be decimated.

Since 2010, the County has cut expenditures by about $30 million each year, realized efficiencies, and streamlined services. Despite these efforts, costs of services continue to outpace revenues and it is estimated that the county will face a gap of over $300 million over the next 20 years. Cuts year after year are unsustainable and have severely limited our ability to invest in our neighborhoods, in our services, and in the people of Milwaukee County.

Residents will have until August 26 to submit feedback on via the Balancing Act tool found here.

Kenosha County Hosts Mobile Behavioral Health Resource Unit ‘Human Services on the Go’

KENOSHA – In an effort to provide more visibility of behavioral health services within the community,  Kenosha County Division of Aging, Disability & Behavioral Health Services in partnership with Kenosha County Public Health will offer a mobile human services unit, “Human Services on the Go.” Human Services on the Go will provide on-the-street Narcan training, as well as information and resources regarding mental health, substance abuse, lead abatement, Bright Family Beginnings and Parents as Teachers. The unit will visit designated neighborhoods leading up to their participation at the Kenosha County Fair in mid-August.

The Kenosha County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Resource Center, which links people with substance use disorder resources, may be reached from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 262-764-8555.

The Kenosha County crisis hotline, operated by Kenosha Human Development Services, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, at 262-657-7188.

When:

Friday, July 29 from 2-5 p.m. at the Alliance Women’s Clinic Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ELCA Outreach Center

Where:

• Alliance Women’s Clinic

6105 22nd Ave.

Kenosha, WI 53143

• ELCA Outreach Center

6218 26th Ave.

Kenosha, WI 53143