by Tony Santaella

A judge has temporarily blocked the federal government's attempt to get the state of South Carolina to hand over voter data that contains information on millions of state residents. 

A judge issued an order this week granting a temporary restraining order until a hearing can be held on a lawsuit filed by Anne Crook, a resident of Calhoun County.  Crook and her attorneys are suing the South Carolina Election Commission to prevent them from complying with a request from the U.S. Department of Justice's (USDOJ)  Civil Rights Division to hand over data. In the suit, she claims the release would violate her personal privacy. 

The lawsuit states that back on August 6, the USDOJ mailed the South Carolina Election Commission requesting the statewide voter registration list and information. On August 1, USDOJ sent another letter that requested every registered voter's full name, date of birth, residential address, state driver's license number, and last four digits of their Social Security number. 

The suit said the Election Commission asked for an extension to comply with the request, and was given until September 5. 

Crook claims the request violates the South Carolina Constitution's right to privacy and other provisions of state law which prevents state agencies from releasing this information. 

"It’s a concern to the League of Women Voters that’s they’ve not said what they plan to do with the data once they get it.The League does not want to see doubt cast on the validity of our elections," said Lynn Teague, VP, Issues & Action,  LWV of South Carolina.

A hearing is set to be held on the lawsuit on September 10 at the Aiken County Courthouse. 

Watch the interview with Lynn Teague at the link above.