Five year election plan may include online voting

Talk about it

A five-year plan to update Wisconsin’s election process could include voting by mail, or on the Internet.

And it could also move the September primaries earlier, so there’s more time for the winners to campaign before the November general elections.

Tuesday, local and state officials and citizens’ groups got together to discuss the five-year plan – which would put the Badger State in compliance with federal election laws.

It also explores new things like voting by mail, which is now done only in Oregon and in Washington State outside the Seattle area.

Some residents at the meeting were concerned such measures would invite voter fraud.

But director Kevin Kennedy of the Government Accountability Board said security is paramount and while the plan’s short on details now, he says the board would use all the tools it has to fight fraud.

Madison Alderman Bryon Eagon, a University of Wisconsin student, wanted to see online voter registration. He said it would especially be of help to young people.

Rick Stadleman of the Wisconsin Towns Association said he’s not sure all the ideas are possible or necessary.

It would cost $17 million to make all the changes.

Federal funds would cover about $4 million, and Kennedy says his agency’s budget could handle some of the costs.

Also, the Legislature would have to approve some items in the plan, like mail or Internet voting.

Tags: online voting, wisconsin, elections, primaries