Law change needed to access immigration database

Associated Press

Updated: Dec 17, 2012 4:54 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Accessing a federal database to help determine whether illegal immigrants are voting in Wisconsin would require a law change and cost over $1 million over the next five years.

That is according to a report prepared by staff at the state elections board that is to be discussed at its meeting Tuesday.

The Government Accountability Board report comes in response to a request from Republican state Sen. Mary Lazich that the board look into using the U.S. Department of Homeland Security database to weed out illegal immigrants who may be voting.

The GAB report does not take a position on whether the law ought to be changed to access the database.

Lazich says the report provides good information, but would not say whether she intends to pursue the issue.

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