After last-minute controversy before Tuesday’s primary election, Wisconsin lawmakers are hoping to implement changes for the upcoming vote in November.
Representative Mark Spreitzer of Beloit joined other assembly Democrats in introducing a proposal to implement vote-by-mail for every remaining election in 2020.
He said he heard from constituents who requested spring absentee ballots before the deadline but did not receive them in the mail in time to submit them for the vote.
Spreitzer believes residents shouldn’t have to risk their health to vote during a pandemic, and his proposal would give election officials months to prepare for the change.
In-person polling places would still be open for limited use by voters who are unable to use the mail system, like those with disabilities or language barriers.
Opponents of the vote-by-mail system express concerns over election security and voter fraud, but Spreitzer said other states that have implemented this kind of voting have not had any credible issues with it.
The bill would also remove the requirement for a witness signature, and it would provide funding for postage and implementing the system.
