SOUTH CAROLINA VOTER PHOTO ID TOOLKIT

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina has adopted a voter outreach initiative. The project's mission is to educate and empower local Leagues and communities to assist registered voters in securing photo ID and to register new voters.

There is much that the League can do, even though the law cannot go into effect until it has been precleared by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Note: The 60-day review period ends August 29, 2011, but DOJ may extend period in order to gather more information.The earliest the law would be implemented is for the Fall 2011 elections.

We can assist citizens who are concerned that the pending law may impact their voting rights with submitting comments to DOJ. We can also register lots of voters and include information about changing in voting procedures in our registration drives. Voter photo ID laws have adisproportionate and unfair impact on low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minority voters, senior citizens, voters with disabilitiesand others who do not have a government-issued ID or the money to acquire one. Thus, it is important for the League and our community partners to reach out directly and through our networks to everyone in our state.

The following information is being provided as a service to the citizens of South Carolina:

  • South Carolina Voter Photo ID Power Point Presentation—For use for presentations at League and community gatherings.(presentation)
  • Voter ID Information Sheet—Fact about the new law
  • Voter Questionnaire with instructions for submission--Designed for use at community gatherings, it can be completed with a League interviewer or by the citizen working alone. In either case it's important to make sure that the completed form is returned to DOJ at one of the contact points provided in the instructions.

Additional Resources:

  • Pointers for Understanding the Application of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act to Photo ID Laws (produced by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. This information is helpful for individuals and groups that want to submit comments to DOJ.(pointers)
  • Website: S.C. Elections Commission (
  • Table: S.C. registered voters without DMV-issued photo ID (1/10) (table)
  • Map: Percentage of registered voters without drivers license or S.C. photo ID card, by county (map)

LWVSC Action on Voter Photo ID:

  • South Carolina Voter Photo ID - Talking Points(long version)(short version) (Remove from What’s New; insert here)
  • Protecting Voting Rights – LWVSC letter to the editor (letter)