Voter ID Law Cleared, Takes Effect 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — A three-judge federal panel, consisting of two republicans and one democrat, ruled Wednesday that the controversial South Carolina Voter ID law will go into effect, but not until next year. The law requires all eligible citizens to present state-issued photo identification in order to vote. Those five cleared forms of identification are: a driver’s license issued by the SCDMV; a photo ID issued by the SCDMV; a passport; a voter registration card with a photo; or a military ID. State Attorney General Alan Wilson says, “Today’s ruling is a major victory for South Carolina and its election process. It affirms our voter ID law is valid and constitutional under the Voting Rights Act.” On the other hand, State Democratic Senator John Scott says the law is an attempt by republicans that amounts to ‘a witch hunt to disenfranchise the voters in this upcoming election and whatever they could do to make sure [President] Obama didn’t get elected,’ saying the law is aimed at suppressing the votes of lower-income people and the elderly. Wilson maintains the law was never about the November election but about being pre-cleared by the federal government so that it may be enacted. The new law takes effect in January, 2013. Thus, the 2012 November General Election will not be impacted. That means, for the upcoming election, you may vote as you always have. For more information, you can visit www.scvotes.org.