State Senators are meeting on September 2nd. Demand safe, accessible, and secure elections!

The SC Senate met on September 2. Our SC Representatives will meet on September 15. 

• Are they committed to again expanding absentee voting (like they did for the Primary Election) so that everyone can again vote safely in November?
• Will they again remove the witness requirement for absentee ballot return envelopes? 
• Will they allow the use of secure drop boxes at sites such as town halls, libraries, or fire stations? 
• Will they provide election officials with more time to process absentee-by-mail ballots, including the extension of the date by which counties must certify the election results? 

We need clear answers to these questions and we need  SC Senate legislation next week that provides for these key components for safe, secure, and accessible elections.  Once the Senate passes legislation, then the House can act on it when they meet on September 15.  

Commitment is in the details.  Yes, the legislature approved absentee voting for all due to the state of emergency caused by the pandemic for the June Primaries.  We need them to do it again.  And, yes, they extended the time for processing ballots when they met last May —but only for one day.  With the significantly higher turn-out expected for the November election, one day is not enough.

Legislation is needed now so let's hit it home.  

This last phase of advocacy —a phone call or "contact your legislator" message — needs to occur right now before the Senate reconvenes this Wednesday, September 2 and the House meets on September 15.  Legislative staff or interns are now monitoring the number of phone calls and messages received via scstatehouse.gov.  They will be sharing information with the legislators to assist them in understanding constituent concerns about expanded absentee voting and other safe voting issues. Be concise in your phone or written messages.  Staff want to know that you are a constituent and what you want the legislator to do.  

Enlist your friends, neighbors, and community.

It is important that we generate as many calls and messages from as many people as possible. Share information about why this is so important.  Safe voting legislation in the time of Covid-19 has bi-partisan and nonpartisan advocates.  Access the South Carolina Conservation Webinar with Representative Gary Clary, Senator Mia McLeod, and Lynn Teague, LWVSC Vice President for Issues & Action, for a lively discussion across non-partisan and party lines about this issue.
 
Thank you for all the work you have done to date to help make our November election safe, accessible, and secure!  Now we need just one last action from each of you in making one final call or sending one final message to your senator and representative.

~MaryAnn Bromley, State Issue & Advocacy Chair
mary.ann.bromley [at] gmail.com (subject: Bingo%21, body: Yes%2C%20I%27ve%20acted%20to%20protect%20voter%20safety!%20My%20name%20and%20address%20follow%2C%20as%20well%20as%20a%20quick%20tally%20of%20my%20activities.%20) , 843-298-2320 (phone or text)