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State Board Recommendation, March 31, 2007

1.  Study of Election Administration
In the coming biennium, we will see a continuation of sweeping changes in how voters cast their ballots and how those ballots are counted and recounted.  Most administrative issues were not included in the 2005-2007 Voting Rights study, but they are critical to the integrity, fairness and level of participation in our elections.  The League of Women Voters has the expertise and the respected, nonpartisan reputation to make it the best nongovernmental organization to conduct a comprehensive study of election administration in Wisconsin.  This is what the public relies on the League to do.  Therefore the state Board recommends the following two-year study:

A review of the entire Wisconsin system for running its elections with a view to recommending changes to increase voter participation, add efficiencies and increase fairness.
 
Scope:  The study could include: improvements in the statewide voter registration system; convenient voter access to information about registration status, polling place, etc.; instant runoff elections; expanded voting times; early voting; mail-in systems; mandatory voting; fusion voting; poll workers; poll watchers; methods of counting and recounting votes; even more on voting machines such as protections against hacking; and possibly a review of how Wisconsin distributes its electoral college votes. 

2. Emphasis on education on healthcare reform
Due to demographic and economic trends, our healthcare system is in dire need of reform, and there may be new legislation in the next year. 

Responding to this situation, eight Leagues expressed interest in a state study on healthcare reform.  Yet the state Board believes our current position is strong.  Its framers were forward-thinking, and the position will continue to provide a firm basis for League advocacy as Wisconsin structures a new healthcare system. 

The state Board recommends an increased emphasis on education about healthcare reform to improve the advocacy efforts of Leagues, members and the public.

We propose to carry this out through such means as:  presentations at state League events (Issues Briefing, Legislative Day); articles in Forward; issues forums co-sponsored with local Leagues; questions for voter guides and candidate forums; and possibly a member-driven section of the state League website.