Public weighs in on easing voter restrictions in South Carolina
Community members shared public testimony Thursday on a bill that aims to make voting more accessible in South Carolina. Author: Julia Kauffman (WLTX) Updated: 6:26 PM EDT April 15, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. The public has weighed in on a bill that could making voting more accessible in South Carolina. There’s a lot of support for easing voting restrictions, but some worry it could make elections less secure. Stop being afraid of allowing people to participate in the process, said Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter,
D-Orangeburg, when introducing her bill in a subcommittee meeting Thursday.
Lawmakers continue their debate on expanding versus restricting voting laws in the Palmetto State. Author: Julia Kauffman (WLTX) Updated: 9:57 AM EDT April 15, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. The push to change South Carolina s election laws continues at the State House.
Lawmakers are set to discuss two voting bills Thursday in a House subcommittee meeting.
The first one aims to expand absentee voting and allow same-day voter registration. We ought to do all that we can to encourage South Carolinians to vote, said Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg
.
Cobb-Hunter authored House Bill 3822. It would allow everyone to vote absentee and would remove the witness signature requirement on absentee ballots.
SC hate crimes bill closer to becoming law after passing in House Julia Kauffman
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The South Carolina House has passed a bill that could increase penalties for violent hate crimes.
The vote brings South Carolina one step closer to adopting a hate crime law – it s currently one of only three states without one.
The hate crimes bill, H. 3096, has bipartisan support and passed 71-28 in the House Thursday. If it becomes law, people who commit violent hate crimes could face increased jail time and fines. When we have the opportunity, we need to stand up and condemn these types of crimes, said Representative Beth Bernstein,