MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Republican Party is launching a statewide voter registration drive for the first time in more than a decade.

The Republican Party said Monday that hundreds of volunteers are being dispatched across the state to register people.

Republican Party executive director Joe Fadness says, "It's time to get back to neighbor-to-neighbor contact, and this effort is part of our plan to build strong, community-centric organizations."

The state party has already opened eight field offices as part of its effort to be prepared for the 2014 election.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate says, "No voter registration drive can erase the fact that Scott Walker Republicans have intentionally made it harder for eligible seniors, students and minorities to exercise their right to vote."