League of Women Voters of South Carolina WE

League of Women Voters of South Carolina WE ARE We are helping all voters, including those who will be unduly burdened by the SC VOTER PHOTO ID LAW

SAVE ALL VOTES LWVSC VOTER CAMPAIGN We are committed to making sure every eligible voter can vote and have that vote counted fairly.

SAVE ALL VOTES LWVSC VOTER CAMPAIGN AS OF JUNE 2012, THE NEW S. C. VOTER PHOTO ID LAW HAS NOT TAKEN EFFECT. Currently, voters must provide one of the following forms of ID to vote: S. C. Driver's License, or S. C. DMV ID Card, or S. C. Voter Registration Card (without photo)

SC Voter Photo ID Law: Beginning in 2012, SC voters may be required to have a valid and current picture ID in order to vote in all elections. Before any citizen would be allowed to vote, they would need to 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)

If the Voter ID Law takes effect, 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 issue a 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 Social Security Card, certified Birth Certificate, and certified documentation of any name change.

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 (if Photo ID Law is implemented) • Does not require Birth Certificate or Social Security Card

PICTURE VOTER REGISTRATION CARD available at County Election Office 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 FROM COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE • 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 if the law is implemented; • Check with your county registration office for date when picture voter registration cards will be available.

Some voters may not be able to get a SC Photo ID because… • 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)

? You will need the following to replace a lost South Carolina Birth Certificate: …or the… ? ? 1) Completed application form; 2) $12. 00 nonrefundable search fee; and 3) A valid photo ID. ?

If name has changed, applicant must present certified 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.

Change Name for Religious Reasons Lew Alcindor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali

Names of Adopted and Foster Children Can Change Madonna and foreignborn adopted child Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt with foreign-born adopted children Many people have no birth certificate, including some South Carolinians born at home.

Names of Immigrants, Naturalized Citizens, And Refugees Can Change Ellis Island Fall of Saigon

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

Cost of obtaining a Birth Certificate for someone who never had one… …. can be cost prohibitive

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; • College students with only a student ID.

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act The entire states of… • Alabama; • Arizona; • Louisiana; • South Carolina; • Virginia; • Alaska; • Georgia; • Mississippi; and • Texas. …are subject to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 due to long histories of voter suppression.

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act The SC Voter Photo ID law cannot take effect until it has been precleared… • The US Dept. of Justice rejected the new law; • It is awaiting a decision in the US District Court in the District of Columbia (South Carolina v. Holder)

Protect Your Right To Vote

Protect Your Right To Vote You must register at least 30 days prior to the General Election in SC

Protect Your Right To Vote Avoid The Headache

Protect Your Right To Vote TODAY!!! Follow instructions in Save All Votes brochure

If you are: REGISTERED TO VOTE but have… NO VOTER PHOTO ID …you may still be able to VOTE!!! Submit a mail-in ABSENTEE BALLOT

Contact your county voter registration office to obtain a Mail-in Absentee Ballot.

Follow instructions in Save All Votes brochure South Carolina Election Commission at www. scvotes. org can help assist voters: Check registration online to see if your… • NAME • ADDRESS. . . are correct and current; You can make necessary changes online (e. g. new address, name change, etc. )

If you feel that your right to vote is in jeopardy, contact the League of Women Voters of South Carolina Call: (803) 251 -2726 or E-Mail: info@lwvsc. org

“It’s not the hand that signs the laws that holds the destiny of America… …it’s the hand that casts the ballot. ” Harry S. Truman