At the end of week two of the legislative session, the state Senate had moved forward three major bills that are on the top of the Republican to-do list. So before the chamber adjourned for the week, Minority Leader Nikki Setzler (D-Lexington) asked his GOP colleagues to return the favor and take seriously the issue of early voting.
In the previous session, Senate Democrats were able to include early voting in a broader voter photo ID measure, but their efforts were shut out by the House in conference committee.
Sen. Setzler
“And we are going to ask you to deal with early voting with the same speed with which you have dealt with the other three bills and move an early voting bill. Let the House do with early voting what they want to do, but this Senate has addressed early voting before and we want to address it again,” said Setzler.
The issue was recharged after record numbers of absentee voters stood in line throughout the state in order to vote before the 2012 General Election.
“The people of South Carolina are tired of standing in long lines, for whatever the reason, and they are using absentee voting for early voting. So, we hope you’ll work with us as we have worked with you and send a bill shortly to the floor of this Senate so that we can deal with it,” Setzler challenged.
Wednesday, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee has its chance. A three-member panel takes up bills S.4, S.67, and S.119.
