Associated Press - May 5, 2009 2:14 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Senate Republicans passed a $5.6 million plan to limit most elections to two days a year, down from many dates now.

Tuesday's largely party-line vote was 27-8. The measure has cleared the House and now goes to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

The bill would limit most elections to May and November, but public schools could schedule levy and bond elections in March and August. Voters won't see any changes until 2011.

The state will provide $4.1 million annually to pay for elections, with counties getting another $1.5 million to buy new election equipment.

Republicans argued the price tag was acceptable, even in a recession, because the measure will help do away with "stealth votes" few residents know about.

Democrats, however, feared this will make it more difficult for school districts to pass levies they rely on to fund their daily business.

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