Only 25 S.C. voters are signed up for free rides to their local Department of Motor Vehicles office today to get photo IDs.
That is a paltry few of the approximately 178,000 S.C. voters who lack the state-issued photo IDs that will be required to cast votes if a new state law goes into effect.
Last month, Gov. Nikki Haley and Motor Vehicles teamed up to offer free rides to local DMV offices to any voter who called a toll-free number. More than 600 people called the number but very few booked rides.
“After they talked to our people, they got the information they needed and decided not to wait for a ride from us. They went ahead and went to their (local DMV office) on their own,” said Kevin Shwedo, Motor Vehicles director.
Haley said she was not disappointed that only 25 voters are taking advantage of the rides.
“We got 25 appointments so that’s 25 people we’re helping,” Haley said. “I’m pleased with that.”
Haley said she hopes the offer of free rides will increase the chances of the U.S. Justice Department approving the state’s photo ID law. S.C. officials are waiting to hear from that federal agency on whether the new law can take effect.
The law requires all voters to present a state-approved photo ID, such as a valid S.C. driver’s license, at the polls to vote.
Critics of the law — passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature and signed by Republican Haley — say it places an undue burden on older and minority voters who lack photo IDs, many of whom vote Democratic. Republicans say the law is needed to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
Hunter said many older voters were born at home — like she was — and lack birth certificates or other documents required by the DMV to get a photo ID.
To get a copy of a birth certificate, voters must go to the S.C. Department of Vital Statistics.
“Gov. Haley needs to offer rides to Vital Statistics and wherever else voters need to go to get the documents,” Hunter said.
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