Wisconsin Assembly okays online voter registration bill, now headed to governor's desk

MADISON — The state Assembly has signed off on a Republican bill that would allow Wisconsin voters to register online.

Thirty states plus the District of Columbia currently offer online registration. Under the Wisconsin bill, voters would need a valid driver's license or state ID card. The measure also would create officials who can register people at the polls as well as at nursing homes and during in-person absentee voting.

The measure would eliminate special registration deputies, who help voters register by going door-to-door and at events. That provision drew the ire of Assembly Democrats. Republicans control the chamber, though, and the bill ultimately passed 56-38 early Wednesday morning.

The Senate approved the bill earlier this month. It now goes to Gov. Scott Walker.