Voter ID Law To Go Into Effect in 2013

A three-judge panel in Washington, D.C. agreed on Wednesday to let South Carolina's Voter ID law go into effect. (NOTE: A copy of the panel's ruling is attached to this story.)

However, due to to logistical challenges the law will not go into effect until 2013. The law means that starting next year voters must present a picture I.D. in order to cast a vote. Those not in possession of picture identification can obtain one free of charge from the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.

The law was passed by state legislators in early 2011, but was subsequently blocked by the Department of Justice in December of 2011. In February of this year, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced he had filed suit against the DOJ. Wednesday's ruling resolves that suit.

In a statement today, Wilson said the following:

“Today’s ruling by the three judge panel is a major victory for South Carolina and its election process. It affirms our voter ID law is valid and constitutional under the Voting Rights Act. The fact remains, voter ID laws do not discriminate or disenfranchise; they ensure integrity at the ballot box.

“This ruling also affirms South Carolina’s voter ID law should have been pre-cleared by the U.S. Justice Department.

“We will work diligently to implement this law for all future elections.”

Gov. Nikki Haley addressed the matter with the media earlier today. Her remarks can be viewed here.

Critics of the law say that there are few examples of actual voter fraud and that efforts to enact voter I.D. laws are "a solution in search of a problem." The critics also note that the the poor and the elderly are less likely to have photo identification and have the potential to be disenfranchised by voter I.D. laws Broadly speaking, the poor and elderly tend to vote Democratic.

The Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Dick Harpootlian issued the following statement after the panel's ruling was announced:

"I am disappointed in the court's decision to uphold South Carolina's Voter ID law. The South Carolina Democratic Party strongly disagrees with the court's opinion and is hopeful that the United States Supreme Court will resolve the differences between various Voter ID cases around the country. Fortunately, this decision does not go into affect until after the 2012 election so no photo ID is necessary for the November 6 general election. It's time for this state to find solutions to real problems. Republicans Nikki Haley, John Courson, and Joan Brady have spent millions in taxpayer funds on this cure in search of a disease. Voters will have an opportunity this November to voice their disapproval and defeat Courson and Brady."

Across the nation, Voter I.D. efforts have had mixed results. Judges have blocked implementation of new laws in Pennsylvania and Texas, but approved measures in Georgia and New Hampshire.