What SC’s New Voter ID Law Really Means

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The federal government’s ruling October 10th that South Carolina will, in fact, have a Voter ID Law is still sinking in with many people. We have helpful information to make sure you have all the facts on this controversial issue. No matter how divided you are on the state’s new Voter ID Law effective next year…. “People can still cast their votes properly and you won’t have to go through all the red tape this year,” said one voter. “Everybody needs to have it for a driver’s license or anything else, might as well have it for her. It’s an important thing,” said another voter. …things will change come January 2013. According to Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson, you will have to have one of five forms of identification. Those include: a driver’s license issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; a photo ID card issued by the state DMV; a voter registration card with a photo; a passport; or a military ID. He says the law strongly encourages that in hopes every registered voter obeys. However, provisions are in place for those who may have legitimate difficulty complying. “If you have a voter registration card, you can turn it in and get one with a photo on it. Period. It’s that easy,” Wilson said. If you are unable to get one of the other forms of ID, you can still vote. You just sign an affidavit saying you are who you say you are and it gets filed. Your vote counts.” On the other hand, opponents of the law, like Democratic State Senator John Scott, say more work is to be done to make sure the fine print is clear for everyone. “We have to move rapidly and make sure funding is available so people are identified and can receive proper ID according to the new law.” For more information, visit www.scvotes.org.