SC DMV Offers Free Rides for Photos

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — It was business as usual on Wednesday at the Department of Motor Vehicles office on Shop Road. But not all of the customers were there because of the state’s new controversial Voter ID law. 19 year old Brian Brown told us why he was at the DMV, Wednesday. “To get my ID,” says Brown. Not necessarily one to make sure he can vote. “I misplaced my other one,” says Brown. But he is glad he’s here. “Because then when it was time for me to vote, then I wouldn’t have been able to actually vote,” says Brown. That’s because Brian doesn’t have a driver’s license and without it or a state issued ID, he would not be able to vote. “I would have been pretty upset about that,” says Brown. Brian is one of many throughout the state who may not be able to vote in 2012 because of the new Voter ID law. Although the law is currently under review, it does require voters to have a stat issued ID in order to vote. Something DMV officials say more than 200,000 reistered voters in South Carolina, do not have. Wednesday the DMV offered free rides to get to a DMV office to get a photo ID. Nearly 700 people called the Department of Motor Vehicles to ask questions about Wednesday’s free rides. Forty-five of those made arrangements, and today even less than that were actually transported. Far less, 20, that’s the total number of people statewide who took the Governor up on her offer for a free ride. DMV officials say the small turnout could be because of confusion with the law. Besides being confusing, the law has been very controversial. But for Brian Brown, he says he is okay with it. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t be required to have an ID,” says Brown. And now with the flash of the camera, he’s one step closer to voting in South Carolina; something he’s thankful for. “Because it’s the only way your opinions get heard,” says Brown.