Here’s why all SC voters will see this yes-or-no question on their ballots this election

Here’s why all SC voters will see this yes-or-no question on their ballots this election

Type: 
Press Mention
Date of Release or Mention: 
Wednesday, October 23, 2024

By Mary Green

COLUMBIA, S.C.  - Just a few days in, and South Carolinians are already breaking early voting records.Besides the race for the White House, there is one other question that all of them will be asked at the polls this year, a statewide constitutional referendum.

The question is a straightforward yes or no: Should part of the state constitution concerning voter qualifications be changed by one word, to say that “only” a citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of 18 and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote, as provided by law?

Right now, the constitution says “every” citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of 18 and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law.

 ....

“With it already embedded in our state constitution that an elector is, by definition, a citizen, we don’t need it to prevent that, to prevent local municipal governments or county governments from allowing noncitizens to vote in their elections,” Lynn Teague with the League of Women Voters of South Carolina said.

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina opposes this change in language.

“It is not because we want noncitizens voting,” Teague said. “We lose our inclusion to guarantee that every citizen has a right to vote, unless, of course, they’re disqualified by law.”

If a majority of voters say “yes” to this question, it would still need one final approval from the General Assembly for the constitution to be amended.

Watch the full interview at the link above. 

League to which this content belongs: 
South Carolina