Bill that would allow voters to register online has cleared committee

MADISON — A Republican bill that would allow Wisconsin voters to register online has passed the Senate's elections committee.

The panel voted 3-2 to approve the measure Wednesday, February 3rd -- clearing the way for a full Senate vote.

Though Democrats support online registration, they have taken issue with the bill's elimination of special registration deputies, who help register voters in person. The committee amended the bill Wednesday to establish election registration officials who could register voters at polls, residential care facilities or for in-person absentee voting.

Democratic Senators Fred Risser and Mark Miller, who both voted against the measure, criticized the bill's sponsors for releasing the lengthy amendment a day before the vote.