Panel moves to delay online voter sign-up until 2017

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A proposal in swing state Ohio would let people register to vote online but not until after this fall’s presidential election.

A Republican-dominated Ohio House committee changed the bill’s effective date on Tuesday to 2017.

The committee also scrapped a provision allowing Ohioans to declare their political party affiliation when registering to vote or updating their addresses. Voters currently are considered affiliated with the party whose ballot they last cast in a primary.

The committee’s chairman said he expects the panel to vote on the bill next week.

Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO’-sted) expressed disappointment over the effective date, but he says moving the bill is good for voters.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 31 states offer online voter registration.

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