House panel OKs online voter registration bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina residents would be able to register to vote online under a bill advanced by a House panel.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved the bill that has been advocated as a way to save money and create a more reliable database of voter information.

The Washington-based Pew Center on the States says nine states already use the secure, online system, and three more are working toward it. The director of Pew’s election initiatives said the system is easier for voters, involves less paperwork and is therefore less prone to inaccuracies.

The same subcommittee that handled the online registration bill also had advanced a measure requiring registration by party to vote in a primary. On Tuesday, the full committee tabled debate on that bill.