South Carolina will confirm voter citizenship status using a new technology.
In 2025, South Carolina is implementing a new technology to verify voter citizenship status, aiming to enhance the integrity of its elections. This initiative follows a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2024, reinforcing the requirement that only U.S. citizens can vote in state elections. The South Carolina Election Commission (SEC) is utilizing the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to cross-check voter registration data against federal immigration records. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in the electoral process.(scvotes.gov)
The push for stricter voter eligibility checks in South Carolina gained momentum following the 2024 general election. In response to concerns about non-citizens potentially voting, the state legislature introduced Senate Bill 128. This bill mandates that all individuals registering to vote must provide satisfactory evidence of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable documents include a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a state-issued ID card. The bill also requires county election boards to compile lists of individuals who have not provided such evidence and to submit these lists to the state attorney general for verification .(LegiScan)
To facilitate this verification, the SEC has partnered with the federal SAVE Program, which allows state agencies to check an individual’s immigration status against federal databases. While the SAVE system has been available for years, its use in voter verification has been limited due to logistical challenges, such as the cost per query and the time-consuming nature of manual checks .(southcarolinapublicradio.org)
The SEC’s adoption of the SAVE Program represents a significant step toward modernizing voter eligibility verification. By cross-referencing voter registration information with federal immigration records, the SEC aims to identify and remove non-citizens from the voter rolls. This process is expected to enhance the accuracy of voter lists and bolster public confidence in the electoral system.(scvotes.gov)
In addition to the SAVE Program, the SEC is undertaking a comprehensive review of voter registration records. Over 190,000 voter confirmation cards are being mailed to individuals who have not voted since the 2020 General Election and have not updated their voter information. Recipients are required to sign and return the cards within 90 days to confirm their residency and intent to remain registered. Failure to do so may result in their voter registration being marked as inactive .(scvotes.gov, scvotes.gov, ACLU of South Carolina)
The implementation of these measures has sparked debate among various stakeholders. Proponents argue that verifying voter citizenship is essential to maintaining the integrity of elections and preventing potential fraud. They contend that such measures ensure that only eligible citizens participate in the electoral process.
Opponents, however, express concerns that these verification processes may disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly among marginalized communities. Critics argue that the reliance on federal databases, which may contain outdated or incomplete information, could lead to the wrongful removal of eligible voters from the rolls. Additionally, the manual nature of the verification process may introduce delays and errors, further complicating the situation.
Legal challenges have also been raised regarding the constitutionality of these measures. Opponents assert that the requirement for individuals to provide proof of citizenship upon registration places an undue burden on voters and violates constitutional protections. They argue that such requirements could deter eligible citizens from registering to vote, thereby undermining the democratic process.
As South Carolina moves forward with implementing these new technologies and procedures, it will be crucial to monitor their impact on voter participation and election outcomes. Ensuring that the verification processes are accurate, efficient, and equitable will be essential to maintaining public trust in the electoral system. The SEC’s efforts to enhance voter eligibility verification through the use of the SAVE Program and other measures represent a proactive approach to addressing concerns about election integrity. However, balancing the need for security with the protection of voting rights will remain a delicate and ongoing challenge.(scvotes.gov)
In conclusion, South Carolina’s initiative to verify voter citizenship status using new technology reflects a broader national trend toward enhancing election security. While these measures aim to safeguard the electoral process, they also raise important questions about voter access and the potential for disenfranchisement. As the state continues to implement these changes, it will be essential to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without unnecessary barriers.
