-By David Edwards
August 5, 2011- Fiscal responsibility has been a battle cry for Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, but his voter photo ID law is going to cost the state big bucks.
After passing the new law, Walker had tried to close at least 10 Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices — allegedly in Democratic districts — but that plan was scrapped in the face of public outrage.
The DMV announced Thursday that it would instead expand services, a move expected to cost $6 million in the first year and $4 million in each year after that, according to The Wisconsin State Journal.
As a part of the move, the total number of DMV offices will be increased from 88 to 92. Overall, office hours will be expanded by 32,000 hours.
Critics claim that the new voting restrictions disenfranchise minorities, students, the poor and the elderly — all groups who tend to vote Democratic.
A practice run last month found that nearly 20 percent of voters coming to the polls did not have a photo ID with them.