The proposed bill would require voters to show a photo ID
House Republicans in South Carolina have passed a bill that would require all voters to show a photo ID at the polls, and creates a three-day window for early voting.
South Carolina-based newspaper The State says that Senate lawmakers want a longer early voting period, and that both houses would need to work out a compromise.
The bill would also waive a $5 state ID fee for residents older than 17.
Many state democrats have spoken out against the bill, saying it discriminates against African-Americans and the elderly, who are less likely to have an ID.
Republicans said that the bill was an important step to eliminate election fraud.
The state’s election commission estimated that roughly 180,000 of the state’s registered voters didn’t have a state-issued ID.
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford told The State that he supported the bill, but needed to wait for a final version.
The Associated Press reports that the Justice Department must approve any changes to the state’s election law, and that if they were approved, the changes would likely go into effect for the 2012 elections.
Related ID News:
- Charleston, South Carolina uses smartcards for parking meters
- South Carolina hospital uses smartcard technology
- Fake ID Industry in North Carolina Cracked Down
- Voters must present plastic ID cards in Missouri
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill announces new plastic ID card system
