The chair of the Senate’s Elections and Utilities Committee said he has no interest in ending same-day registration, because it would force the state to comply with the federal Motor Voter Act.
During this weekend’s GOP state convention, delegates approved a resolution calling for the end of same-day registration and requiring voters be registered at least 10 days before an election. The resolution, also sought to require temporary residents, including students, to vote in their place of permanent residency.
In 2012, Gov. Scott Walker indicated support for ending same-day registration. But he backed away after a study from the Government Accountability Board found such a move could cost $5.2 million.
Sen. Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg and chair of the Elections and Utilities Committee, said he could not recall any bills in recent sessions that would make such a change.
“With voter ID in place, I think we have a lot of safeguards already,” he said. “With online registration, voter ID and same-day registration, Wisconsin is one of top five or six highest states for voter turnout, which I think is a good thing.”
Delegates approved a series of resolutions en masse Saturday, from repealing the ethanol mandate to calling for Wisconsin to become a constitutional carry state and allow firearms to be carried on school grounds and college campuses.
But the delegates pulled out several resolutions to be voted on separately. They approved the voter registration resolution, while shooting down resolutions to repeal the state’s smoking ban and lower the drinking age to 18.
See the resolutions.
