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S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley signs voter ID law requiring photo ID at poll
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley signed a voter ID bill into law May 18 that will require voters to present a photo ID at the polls in order to receive a ballot. The governor was joined by members of the General Assembly and grassroots activists from across South Carolina at the Statehouse in Columbia when she signed H 3003 The Voter ID Bill.
“It’s another great day in South Carolina,” Haley said. “The reason it's a great day is because we continue to improve South Carolina in terms of integrity, accountability and transparency. This new law is very important, not just for South Carolina, but because I have heard from people across the country about how impressed they are that we took it upon ourselves to secure the integrity of our election process.”
“If you have to show a picture ID to buy Sudafed, if you have to show a picture ID to get on an airplane, you should show a picture ID when you vote,” the Governor continued. “There were a lot for people that made this come together – and I want to thank, in particular, grassroots activists from around the state, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, Senator Harvey Peeler and State Rep. Alan Clemmons.”
Although Haley signed the bill, it does not take effect unless it is approved by the Justice Department. Previously, South Carolina residents could vote by showing a voter registration card which does not include a photo.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell said, “Today is a victory for everyone in South Carolina who has been working to eliminate fraud and make our state’s election process more secure, especially now since the United States Supreme Court has held Voter ID as constitutional. With the bill becoming law today, I hope the Department of Justice will move swiftly in granting our state’s secure election law the same preclearance they gave to Georgia’s Voter ID law last year. That way all South Carolinians can go to the polls this next Election Day knowing their vote has not been compromised.”
“It’s another great day in South Carolina,” Haley said. “The reason it's a great day is because we continue to improve South Carolina in terms of integrity, accountability and transparency. This new law is very important, not just for South Carolina, but because I have heard from people across the country about how impressed they are that we took it upon ourselves to secure the integrity of our election process.”
“If you have to show a picture ID to buy Sudafed, if you have to show a picture ID to get on an airplane, you should show a picture ID when you vote,” the Governor continued. “There were a lot for people that made this come together – and I want to thank, in particular, grassroots activists from around the state, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, Senator Harvey Peeler and State Rep. Alan Clemmons.”
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Supporters of the legislation say it will prevent fraud at the polls by assuring that the proper person votes. Opponents, however, say the new legislation will make it more difficult for the elderly and those who do not drive a car to obtain the proper documentation.Although Haley signed the bill, it does not take effect unless it is approved by the Justice Department. Previously, South Carolina residents could vote by showing a voter registration card which does not include a photo.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell said, “Today is a victory for everyone in South Carolina who has been working to eliminate fraud and make our state’s election process more secure, especially now since the United States Supreme Court has held Voter ID as constitutional. With the bill becoming law today, I hope the Department of Justice will move swiftly in granting our state’s secure election law the same preclearance they gave to Georgia’s Voter ID law last year. That way all South Carolinians can go to the polls this next Election Day knowing their vote has not been compromised.”
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