State House Dispatch: Jan. 21, 2025

This week under the copper dome: Inauguration, private school vouchers, and a juvenile justice emergency

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: Jan. 21, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over an image of the South Carolina State House dome.

The legislature is back. Get ready with us.

We sifted through every pre-filed bill for this session in the State House. Here’s what we found.

By Paul Bowers

"The legislature is back. Get ready with us." Text is overlaid on an aerial-view photo of people milling around in the State House lobby.

The ugly truth about school vouchers

6 reasons why South Carolina can't afford to throw away money on private schools

By Paul Bowers

"The ugly truth about school vouchers." Text appears over a photo of an abandoned and damaged classroom.

What happened with the Charleston County School Board election

Civil liberties were on the ballot. Here’s how we got involved and who won.

By Jace Woodrum

A tattered South Carolina flag hangs from a flagpole in front of the Charleston County School District office

My book faces a statewide ban in South Carolina. Here's why that matters.

Author Elana K. Arnold responds to an attempted ban on her novel Damsel across all grade levels

By Elana K. Arnold

Cover of Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

Planning to vote? Save this phone number

Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) if you encounter issues at the polls

If you or anyone you know encounters problems while voting, call: English: 866-687-8683. Spanish: 888-839-8682. Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog: 888-274-8683. Arabic: 844-925-5287

Remembering a last-ditch effort to block the death penalty in South Carolina

In 1977, Black and Republican lawmakers fought to the bitter end against state killing

By Paul Bowers

"Remembering a last-ditch effort to block the death penalty." Red text appears over a white cinder block background.

Why we’re engaging in the Charleston County School Board election

We're highlighting candidates' stances on civil liberties issues in a crucial down-ballot race

By Jace Woodrum

"Get the facts. You decide the future." Text appears over a photo of children waving out of the windows of a school bus.

S.C. election deadlines are coming up. Do you have a plan?

As election season heats up, a Q&A with our Voting Rights Staff Attorney

By Tish Gotell Faulks, Paul Bowers

voting rights issue page