COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The conventions are over, the debates are coming, and the elections are less than two months away. As things now stand, South Carolinians might be facing more uncertainty than voters in other states.
Gov. Nikki Haley has issued a proclamation declaring September to be Voter Education Month. This year, that's especially appropriate because voters are going to have to educate themselves about the possibility of last minute changes that could dramatically affect what they are able to do once they get to the polling places.
First, those voters will have to deal with the aftermath of this year's mess over candidate eligibility. The legal wrangling tied to state Supreme Court rulings in late spring kicked more than 200 candidates off the ballots, forcing them to collect petition signatures to get back into their races.
"There will be offices on ballots that will have all-petition candidates. No Republicans and Democrats," said Chris Whitmire with the state Election Commission. "Most of our offices usually have a Republican running against a Democrat. This year there will be offices where there will be nothing but petition candidates. You will have some offices in a few counties where there are no candidates. All write-in election."
Then there's the issue of the state's new voter ID law. Along with a number of other states, South Carolina passed a law requiring voters to produce a picture ID at the polls.
Critics labeled the law a form of voter suppression, the US Justice Department blocked it, and the state took the government to court. A panel of federal judges will hear closing arguments in two weeks.
Whitmire couldn't comment on the pending case. He says the commission is taking steps to prepare county officials and poll managers despite uncertainty about how the judges will rule.
"We have a workshop next week. That's geared toward county election commissioners and directors. Going through reminders, everything you need to know, the processes and procedures to conduct a general election," Whitmire said.
Election experts say this year more than ever, voters need to pay attention and do their homework before they head to the polls.
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