Wisconsin’s proposed voter ID law, billed as potentially one of the toughest in the nation, would be less susceptible to legal challenges if university student IDs are allowed. That’s the opinion of a University of Wisconsin political scientist who testified before a legislative committee.

“You already have tens of thousands of these (student) IDs being produced by the state (at UW campuses). So why duplicate the state’s efforts in terms of having (students) go out and get another free ID at a cost to the state?” he said.

Voters would be required to present a valid ID, such as a Wisconsin driver license or a military ID card, to vote if the Senate Voter ID bill becomes law. Student IDs are not a valid form of voter identification under the Senate bill.

The bill’s proponents say the legislation would limit voter fraud while opponents contend that the bill would disenfranchise voters such as poor people and college students who are less likely to have a Wisconsin driver license or other type of photo ID. Read more here.