Posted Monday, December 17, 2012 --- 11:51 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Accessing a federal database of legal immigrants to examine whether they can legally vote 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 sent in July from Republican state Sen. Mary Lazich who asked that the board look into using the U.S. Department of Homeland Security database to weed out illegal aliens who may be voting.

The GAB report does not take a position on whether the necessary law changes to access the database should be made.

Nine states either have used the database or plan to.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press