Voter Registration Deadline Nears

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — In ABC Columbia’s Vote 2012 coverage, state law requires people be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to election day. Midlands officials are making sure your voter checklist is completed before the October 6th deadline. The one thing you don’t want when you head to the poll is issues. Deputy director for the Richland County Elections and Voter Registration Office, Garry Baum, gets right to the three most important steps he says you should take now to avoid problems later: “Register to vote. If you are registered, update your address if you have moved, and verify your voter registrations,” he said. “This can be done by going to www.scvotes.org.” Baum says foot traffic has picked up significantly since Labor Day, more than 500 new applications per week. 18-year-old Yolonda Camps registered for the first time. Marcole Davis, relocating to Columbia, was already registered, but in a different state. “I thought i was able to vote in South Carolina with my registration in Florida,” said Davis. “I just thought all was needed was a change of address, but I had to do the whole registration over.” It’s those misunderstandings officials want you to not have to deal with, especially before the voter registration deadline. “Applications must be either in the voter registration office or postmarked by that Saturday, October 6th.” For more information, including how to verify your polling precinct or to make sure you are currently registered, visit www.scvotes.org.