The Joint Legislative Council Committee on Election Reform passed Assembly Bill 542 Wednesday, formally granting the bill clearance for full Legislative consideration.
AB 542 was first introduced by state Rep. David Cullen, D-Milwaukee, and other state Assembly Democrats. The bill outlines state election reform by disallowing felons from voting through instituting new electronic tracking measures, requiring standard training of state election officials and setting mandates for the state Department of Transportation to include voter registration as a part of all state issued licensing or identification renewals.
State Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser, D-Kenosha, said he commends the Joint Legislative Committee's bi-partisan efforts on the proposed bill and urges the Legislature to move forward without any attached amendments.
'This plan addresses the real problems affecting voting in Wisconsin without gimmicks, fear mongering, sensational accusations and most importantly, without disenfranchising legitimate voters,' Kreuser said in a statement.
He also added the passage of AB 542 out of committee is a significant step forward in election reform.
'Governor Doyle and Assembly Democrats have shown their leadership on Elections and Ethics Reform,' Kreuser said. 'I hope the Republican Majority will respond in kind.'
