Many rules to voting, but some changes needed

When it comes to voting in Wisconsin, there are many rules. Some of them are designed to make it easier for people to cast their ballot. In Wisconsin, unlike in many states, voters can register at the polls on election day. Anyone is eligible to vote absentee, and do not have to provide a reason for doing so. Wisconsin also provides early voting, allowing people to cast their ballot at their local clerk’s office in the days leading up to the election. All of these things are to make it easier for voters. But not all rules make things easy. Wisconsin is one of a  small number of states that require those voting absentee to include a witness signature on the envelope containing the ballot. But in this area of social distancing, particularly for those in assisted living facilities, that can be a burden to voting. And under current Wisconsin law, absentee ballots can only be counted if they are received by election day. A new lawsuit seeks to change that, seeking to allow the counting of all ballots that are postmarked by the date of the election. As we saw in the April election, some absentee ballots were never received by voters, or mailed but not received in time by local clerks. It makes sense, especially with what is happening at the U.S. Postal Service, to make sure that voters are not penalized for something out of their control. It is good that Wisconsin has taken steps to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote can do so, but they shouldn’t penalize voters for problems at the Post Office.