By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel

Madison — Lawmakers approved a five-year election plan Tuesday that
will study changing the date of the September primary, permitting
absentee ballots to be returned by e-mail, implementing elections that
are conducted entirely by mail – but not requiring voters to show
photo ID at the polls.

Republicans on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee tried to add
a study of requiring ID at the polls, but Democrats who control the
committee batted back that attempt on a 9-4 vote.

Republicans long have said requiring ID would cut down on voter fraud,
while Democrats contend it would disenfranchise poor and elderly
people.

“It seems to me photo ID . . . should be
reviewed as an option,” said Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).
“Many people in Wisconsin think our procedures for voting need to be
seriously addressed.”

But Rep. Pedro Colуn (D-Milwaukee) said no one has found organized,
widespread voter fraud in Wisconsin. He charged that Republicans
wanted only a “select club” to vote in elections.

When Republicans controlled the Legislature from 2003 to 2005, they
passed three bills to require showing photo ID at the polls.
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed all three, and the issue has not made
it to his desk since.

The committee approved the election plan 13-1, with Sen. Julie Lassa
(D-Stevens Point) voting against it because of concerns about election
costs that could be passed on to local governments.

The plan is necessary for the state to access federal money. It was
written by the Government Accountability Board, which runs state
elections.

The board will study changing the dates of partisan primaries, now
held in September; allowing online voter registration; conducting
elections by mail; returning absentee ballots by fax or e-mail; and
allowing early voting.

The studies will guide legislators as they consider changes to voting
laws in the future.