League of Women Votersof South Carolina
We are identifying voters who will be
unduly burdened by the
SC VOTER PHOTO ID LAW
WEARE
SC Voter Photo ID Law:Beginning in 2012 (or earlier if cleared by
U.S. Dept. of Justice) , SC voters must have a valid and current picture ID in
order to vote in all elections. Before any citizen will be allowed to vote, they shall produce a valid and current:
1) SC driver's license (with photograph); or
2) Photograph ID issued by the SC DMV; or
3) U.S. Passport (with photograph); or
4) Federal Military ID (with photograph); or
5) NEW SC picture voter registration card (when available)
A poll manager shall check the voter’s….
1) Name (against the names in voter registration lists);
2) Photograph (against the prospective voter); and
3) Signature (against the signature on the voter's photo ID).
(A poll manager may require further identification of the voter and proof of his/her right to vote.)
Voters may cast a provisional ballot if:
• The voter cannot produce the required photo ID;
• A poll manager disputes the voter’s photograph.
PROVISIONAL BALLOT
The voter must:
•Go to his/her county election office before the vote count is certified;
•Present a valid and current picture ID;
Only then, will the provisional ballot be counted.
SC Photo ID cards
• Will be issued by the SCDMV;• Are free to persons aged 17 years or older;• Must be renewed every 5 years.
The DMV will issuea SC photo ID if…
1) The voter is a resident of SC;
2) The application is made on a form approved and furnished by the SCDMV; and
3) The applicant presents a certified Birth Certificate.
Easy as1 2 3
For Registered Voters, the easiest way to get a free valid photo ID is to obtain a
PICTURE VOTER REGISTRATION CARD• Available from your county elections office (probably late fall 2011) • Does not require Birth Certificate or Social Security Card
PICTURE VOTER REGISTRATION CARD Available to registered voters only;
• Take a recent electric, phone or gas bill, bank statement, tax notice, or similar document that lists your name and current address to your county voter registration office;
• The name and address must be exactly the same as the name and address on the county voter registration list.
PICTURE VOTER REGISTRATION CARD• Does not expire
• Can only be used to vote;
• Can only be used to vote if legible;
• Can be replaced with no appointment and no charge;
• Will be available once the law is implemented (late fall 2011); Check with your county registration office for date when picture voter registration cards will be available.
Some voters maynot get a SCPhoto IDbecause…
• The Voter Photo ID Law is difficult to understand;
• They are unable to get a photo ID due to hardship;
• They do not have the resources to get a photo ID; or
• They have no certified Birth Certificate or other required documents. (photo copies are not acceptable)
…or the…
You will need the following to replace a lost South Carolina Birth Certificate:
1) Completed application form;
2) $12.00 nonrefundable search fee; and
3) A valid photo ID.
If name has changed, applicant must present legal documents…
• adoption records;
• marriage certificate or license;
• certificate of naturalization;
• court-ordered name change;
…supporting all name changes from the name which appears on the certified Birth Certificate or proof of identity to the present.
Lew Alcindor
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Cassius Clay
Muhammad Ali
Change Name for Religious Reasons
Madonna and foreign-born adopted child
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt with foreign-born
adopted children
Names of Adopted and Foster Children Can Change
Many people born in third world countries have no birth certificate
Names of Immigrants, Naturalized Citizens, And
Refugees Can Change
Fall of Saigon Vietnam
Ellis Island
Long-form South Carolina Birth Certificates can be obtained only from the DHEC office
in Columbia.
• Walk in – 30 to 45 min. process time; or
• Mail – 2 to 4 weeks processing time
Smooth sailing for many….
…high hurdles for others.
Disenfranchised Voters may be….• People who have had their drivers license revoked;
• People without a birth certificate or other documents;
• People who have medical restrictions and disabilities;
• Naturalized citizens;
• Adopted and foster children;
• The elderly and the poor.
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act
The entire states of…
…are subject to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 due to long histories of voter suppression.
Section 5 ofthe Voting Rights ActThe proposed SC Voter Photo ID lawcannot take effect until the newprocedures have been subjected to:
•An administrative review by the US Department of Justice; or
•After a lawsuit before the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Federal 60-day review endsAugust 29, 2011
South Carolina Election Commission atwww.scvotes.org
can help assist voters:
•Register online immediately;
•Check registration online to see if your nameand address are correct and current;
•Make necessary changes online(e.g. new address, name change, etc.)
The League of Women Voters of South Carolina
Will document cases of disenfranchised voters
and send signed testimonies to the Dept. of Justiceduring the 60 day review period that end August 29, 2011.