Update 10/24/2024: The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows:
"Must Section 4, Article II of the Constitution of this State, relating to voter qualifications, be amended so as to provide that only a citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law?"
A "yes" vote approves this change; a "no" vote rejects it.
Recently, the South Carolina Legislature ratified S.1126, which would amend Article II, Section 4 of the state's constitution concerning voting requirements. The bill received unanimous approval in the House and near-unanimous support in the Senate, with just three dissenting votes.
The proposed amendment aims to establish clearer voter-eligibility criteria by changing the wording from "every" to "only" regarding citizens' right to vote, specifying that only U.S. citizens age 18 or older, duly registered with proof of citizenship and residency – can participate in South Carolina elections.
This aligns with constitutional standards and safeguards against voter fraud by restricting voting rights to verified citizens, bolstering the security of our electoral process.
Initiatives like this are crucial for bolstering public trust in South Carolina's electoral integrity. By ensuring that all voters meet the eligibility criteria, residents can have greater confidence that election outcomes faithfully reflect the will of voters.
This ballot measure also aims to mitigate potential legal challenges arising from unlawful participation in state elections, a problem that has emerged in some areas where voting rights have expanded to non-citizens in certain local elections.
The chart below shows a concerning trend of different municipalities in the United States allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections.
Location | Voting Right for Non Citizens |
New York City | Non-citizens allowed to vote in municipal elections (faced legal challenges) |
San Francisco, Oakland | Non-citizens allowed to vote in school board elections |
Maryland (several towns and cities) | Several municipalities allowed non-citizens to vote in local elections |
Washington D.C. | Considered measures to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections |
This ballot measure aims to ensure South Carolina does not follow this path, aligning SC with twelve other states where legislators have made it clear that only citizens can vote.
This measure will go before South Carolina voters for approval during the upcoming Nov. 5 election. If approved by a majority of voters and subsequently ratified by the Legislature, it will be integrated into the S.C. Constitution, with the intent of establishing clearer voter-eligibility standards for elections in the state.
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William Morton is a research intern for the South Carolina Policy Council