SC Legislators Discuss New Voter ID Requirement

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ Plans to require better proof of citizenship to register to vote in South Carolina have won an early test in the Senate and opened the door to a new round of arguments about voting rights. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Thursday approved a bill that says citizenship proof can come from documents that include a driver’s license, birth certificate, United States passport or tribal identification. Sen. Chip Campsen of the Isle of Palms says the measure is needed to keep people from registering to vote who have lied about being citizens. Columbia Democratic Sen. John Scott said that measure will re-open debate on voter ID requirements in South Carolina. The U.S. Justice Department is challenging a law passed last year requiring government-issued photographic identification to vote.