Bill to change Wisconsin elections introduced quickly

Even before the ballots from Tuesday’s election have been counted some Wisconsin lawmakers are already proposing changes to make our election system more fair, and more safe. A group of state lawmakers, including Onalaska Rep. Steve Doyle have introduced legislation calling for a mail-in vote for all remaining elections in 2020. They say we should never have to see a repeat of what we saw in Tuesday’s vote, where after lawmakers refused to make changes to the election, voters had to risk their own health just to exercise their constitutional rights. There was confusion about how long absentee ballots would be accepted, and whether absentee ballots required a witness signature. As a result of that confusion, hundreds and perhaps thousands of ballots are being thrown or were not received in time. We shouldn’t wait until the November election, when the stakes are so high, to make this move. Passing this legislation now would give the Wisconsin Elections Commissions as well as local clerks time to plan and conduct a safe and secure election. Wisconsin voters deserve a system that makes it easy for them to participate in our democracy and ensure their health is protected.