SCDP Corrects Voter ID Flier Circulated in Dorchester Co.

A flier circulated by the S.C. Democratic Party in Dorchester County asks voters to "Commit to Vote."

But it also originally offered incorrect information on voter identification.

The SCDP sent Patch the following clarification:

"A few dozen voters in Dorchester County received Commit to Vote cards with information that stated you could use a cell phone, utility bill or student ID to vote. Those forms of ID can only be used by those who registered by mail and didn't include a copy of their identification. Everyone who received these cards has or will be notified of the error. The South Carolina Democratic Party hopes everyone will go to the polls on November 6 and it's important to know the Voter ID law hasn't been enacted for this election cycle so no photo ID is required to vote."

In South Carolina, if a voter does not present his or her voter registration card, he or she must provide a S.C. DMV-issued ID or driver's license, according to the Election Commission. This will change in 2013, as the state enacts its Voter ID law, which will require photo identification to vote.

However, if a voter does not bring the right identification, he or she will not be turned away, but will vote provisionally. 

"If you don't have the right form of ID, we give you the opportunity to go get it ... you probably don't live too far away (from your precinct)," Dorchester County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Director Joshua Dickard said. "If you don't have that then it's just a provisional paper ballot."

Before the certification date, the voter then must present correct identification by fax, email or person to their county election office.

"We will go ahead and count it as long as it's correct ID," Dickard said.