Sharpton Visits SC, Blasts Voter ID

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — As the U.S. Justice Department decides whether South Carolina’s proposed Voter ID law is discriminatory, several rallies across the country are taking place to get minorities registered to vote, including here at home. In another round of nationwide voter education events, civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton addressed a packed Drew Wellness Center in Columbia Tuesday. He wasted no time taking aim at the state’s proposed Voter ID law. If enacted, the legislation would require voters present valid government-issued photo identification to cast a ballot. “Right now, it’s back to where it was in South Carolina,” Sharpton told the crowd. “They will fight and will win unless there’s a record number of voters that come out.” Sharpton was joined by Congressman Jim Clyburn and local democrats, urging rally-goers to remember how blacks had to fight to register to vote without restrictions in this country. Meanwhile, Executive Director with the South Carolina republican party, Matt Moore, says Voter ID has nothing to do with preventing people from voting. Rather, it secures the electoral process. “We crafted this bill in South Carolina to match bills in other states like Georgia,” said Moore. “We think it’s common sense bill to protect voters’ security to know their vote was counted.” Moore says he’s a victim of voter fraud and claims there are others like him in the state whose cases go ignored or not prosecuted. Voter ID, he believes, prevents it from happening in the first place. A three-judge panel is reviewing the Voter ID legislation to decide whether it is discriminatory. A decision is expected next month.