Democratic candidate JoCasta Zamarripa makes undocumented driver’s licenses her top priority
JoCasta Zamarripa announced on Oct. 16, 2026 that her top priority as the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin secretary of state is securing driver’s licenses for undocumented residents, and she hopes Governor‑elect David Crowley will sign the legislation.
The push comes amid a statewide debate over immigration policy, with supporters saying expanded licensing would increase road safety and give more drivers access to affordable auto insurance, while opponents frame it as a partisan issue.
Zamarripa, a former five‑term state assembly member and current Milwaukee alder, has introduced multiple “driver‑card” bills since 2015. Earlier versions would have issued licenses that could not be used to board planes, enter federal buildings, or vote. None of those proposals became law.
"My number one priority is to see the governor sign driver's licenses for undocumented Wisconsinites into law," Zamarripa said in an interview with WMTV.
She argues that legalizing licenses would improve public safety by bringing more drivers into the state’s licensing and insurance systems, reducing the number of unlicensed, uninsured motorists on the road.
The secretary of state’s office does not issue driver’s licenses; that function belongs to the Department of Transportation and the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. Zamarripa acknowledges the limitation but says she will use the role as a platform to advocate for the legislation.
Wisconsin has barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses since a 2007 law took effect. Governor Tony Evers attempted to include universal licenses in his budget, but Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee removed the provision.
Republican nominee Jay Schroeder, who wants to move election administration to the secretary of state’s office and eliminate the Elections Commission, opposes Zamarripa’s plan. GOP governor‑candidate Tom Tiffany described the proposal as “insanity.”
State demographic data show Wisconsin’s population at roughly 5.97 million, with an estimated 70,000‑110,000 undocumented residents—about one to two percent of the total.
Zamarripa says she will soon discuss the proposal with Crowley, who has previously expressed support for immigrant‑friendly policies. The secretary‑of‑state race heads to the Nov. 3 ballot, with Ballotpedia rating it as leaning Democratic.
