News & Commentary
Jun 01, 2020
There is still time to vote by mail in South Carolina's primaries
No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Earlier this month, the South Carolina General Assembly passed legislation allowing all registered voters to vote by mail in the upcoming June 9 primary election. On Monday, a federal court ruled favorably in our lawsuit, blocking a requirement that forced people who vote absentee to obtain a witness signature.
May 20, 2020
"We The People" Means ALL of Us: Our Blueprint for COVID-19 Relief
COVID-19 has illuminated our failures as a society. To urge decision makers to minimize the harms made worse by this pandemic, today we released a blueprint for COVID-19 relief in South Carolina. The blueprint calls on our leaders to ensure the burdens of the pandemic do not unfairly fall on South Carolina’s most vulnerable communities and that all responses are rooted in science and public health and are no more intrusive on civil liberties than necessary. To ensure a COVID-19 response that protects all people, South Carolina must:
Apr 23, 2020
We're Asking the Courts to Ensure Access to the Vote During COVID-19
On April 22, we and our partners at the nationwide ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed a federal lawsuit over South Carolina’s failure to take action to ensure all eligible voters can vote by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic — even for our fast-approaching June 9 statewide primary elections.We are challenging a state requirement that forces people who vote absentee to have a third-party witness signature on their ballot envelope, as well as an “excuse” requirement that fails to provide an accommodation to allow all eligible voters to vote absentee during the pandemic.Even if voters are allowed to vote absentee “because of injury or illness” that keeps them at home, election officials have rejected the view that this currently “include[s] self-isolating due to a pandemic.”Requiring voters to be physically present at their traditional polling places during the COVID-19 outbreak — where they will be congregating and waiting in line with others in order to vote — is contrary to the advice of public health experts. In addition, in the midst of a pandemic, the witness requirement also puts people’s health at risk.Our lawsuit asks the court to block the state from enforcing the requirements while COVID-19 transmission is occurring; issue guidance instructing local election officials to count otherwise validly cast absentee ballots that are missing a witness signature for South Carolina’s primary and general elections in 2020; and conduct a public information campaign informing voters about the elimination of the witness and excuse requirements at this time.Inevitably, the COVID-19 pandemic will result in voter suppression in 2020 elections unless we put preventative measures into place now. Without action from the courts, South Carolina’s June primaries will force people to choose between their health and their right to vote, a decision no one should have to make.
Oct 07, 2016
Furman students will get to vote after judge issues injunction
Judge Robin Stilwell granted a temporary injunction for ACLU clients Sulaiman Ahman, Katherine West and Ben Longnecker, allowing them to register to vote using university residence halls as their address.
Nov 07, 2014
Make it easier to vote, not tougher
November 7, 2014. Columbia. Statehouse Report. By Victoria Middleton, Executive Director - ACLU of SC. Turnout for mid-term elections is traditionally light, but there are ways to encourage more people to exercise their fundamental right to vote. Regrettably since 2006, 34 state legislatures have worked diligently to chip away at voting rights.
Jun 26, 2014
ACLU sues Jasper County schools, alleges improper school board districts
Civil liberties group says current districts lack population balance, undermining right to vote
Oct 10, 2013
Tuesday’s election first for Rock Hill under voter photo ID law
October 10, 2013. Rock Hill Herald. By Anna Douglas. Residents who want to vote in Tuesday’s Rock Hill city election will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls, but York County’s director of elections says no registered voter without the identification will be turned away.
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