Splitting the baby in half

The State Elections Board tried to play Solomon and cut the baby in half on Wednesday, but forgot that he didn't actually do it.

Threatened with a federal lawsuit backed by Reps. Mark Green and F. Jim Sensenbrenner over what kind of ID to require at the polls, the Elections Board tried a compromise. The JS reports:

Madison - In an attempt to settle a political battle about how Wisconsin will comply with federal voting regulations, the State Elections Board decided Wednesday to require those registering on election day to provide a driver's license number if they have one.

Those without their driver's licenses or the license numbers with them at the polls may cast a provisional ballot. They then would have to supply the number by the end of the day after the election, the board determined. Voters who haven't been issued driver's licenses would be able to show either state-issued ID cards or to provide the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.

OK, so you show up at the polls without your driver's license. Who knows why? You left it at home on the piano.

So they let you vote, but put your ballot in an envelope, mark it "provisional" and tell you they won't count it unless you come to City Hall tomorrow and show an elections clerk your driver's license.

You read the paper the next morning, find out your candidates won or lost by a lot more than one vote.

Why would you go show someone your driver's license?

Preduction: If that rule stays in place, very few provisional votes will end up being counted.

By the way, Green is still not happy with the compromise. He doesn't even want the provisional ballot option. No license, no vote, he says.

UPDATE: K. Carpenter at Stepping Right Up asks:

Has Wisconsin election laws adhered the Help America Vote Act?

I give up. Is our children learning?