Bill > S0128

This bill amends South Carolina's voter registration laws to require individuals to provide satisfactory evidence of citizenship before they can register to vote. Specifically, the bill adds a new qualification for voter registration that mandates prospective voters demonstrate their U.S. citizenship through acceptable documentation such as a valid driver's license, birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents, or tribal identification. Acceptable proof includes various official documents like a state-issued ID, birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers, with specific verification requirements for each type of documentation. The bill also requires county boards of voter registration to note citizenship evidence in voter registration files and maintain copies of supporting documents for at least two years. Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of existing voter rolls by October 31, 2025, to verify the citizenship status of currently registered voters who have not already provided satisfactory citizenship evidence. The Attorney General will use multiple databases and verification systems to check citizenship, including DMV records, Social Security Administration databases, and immigration verification systems, and must submit a report of findings to state leadership by March 1, 2026. If a registered voter cannot provide satisfactory citizenship evidence, they will be disqualified from voting. The bill takes effect upon the Governor's approval and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still stand.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=128&session=126&summary=B