Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012 --- 12:24 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State election officials have decided to let people register to vote with electronic documents.

Under Wisconsin law, votes must provide a document showing proof of residency when they register. The liberal-leaning Institute for One Wisconsin and Wisconsin Election Protection, a group affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union and AFL-CIO, asked the state Government Accountability Board to allow voters to present electronic documents on a laptop or smartphone.

The board's staff recommended holding off on a decision as the presidential election looms, but noted state law provides that an electronic record is equivalent to a written document.

The board voted 6-0 to approve the request.