Inside The South Carolina Voter ID Bill
iReport — Spartanburg, South Carolina-The South Carolina Legislature joined the efforts of eight other states by passing itson version of voter ID bill that was signed by Governor Nikki Haley on . The new bill, however, has been placed on hold by the U.S. Department of Justice in order to see any evidence that this significant change will comply with section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Based upon a past history of racial segregation and voter suppression duties pre-civil rights era, South Carolina is one of nine states that must receive preclearance for any changes made to election laws.
The Department of Justice is requiring the S.C. Election Commission to provide detailed information relating to the state’s electoral process and its ability to provide adequate notification procedures to inform South Carolina voters on the election law changes. The state must provide , as well, detailed information that illuminates the specific dates and locations established for voters seeking to obtain government approved ID.
Currently, the S.C. Election Commission is preparing to allow currently registered voters to come to the 46 County boards of registration to take photos for voter IDs. This process allows voters to simply show up with their voter registration which currently does not require a photo ID. This is the only current provision that conceivably circumvents the need to obtain additional state ID in order to vote.
Members of the South Carolina Black Lawyers recognize the new law that requires voters to present photo ID at the poll as a potential for the violation of civil rights. “Currently there is no evidence of voter fraud or voter impersonation” said South Carolina Black Lawyers Association Vice President and Resolutions Chair Michael D. Brown. Brown, who is also an elected official in Spartanburg, said that the organization will issue a resolution to the Department of Justice that addresses its opposition to the new law.
According to a new study by the Associated Press, the new law that requires some kind of photo ID drives license, military ID, passport, when people vote will disproportionately affect majority black precincts (e.g. the Benedict College Precinct) more than others in the state. The franchise to vote constitutionally should not involve the requirement of the expenditures of money. In South Carolina, Georgia and Indiana (states that have past racially restrictive histories that require the Justice Department voting monitoring), the study showed that minorities are less likely than whites to have the right identification (which costs money).
Is this an attempt by the state GOP to blatantly attempt to suppress the votes of minorities? Time will tell in the near future as the Justice Department will make its determination concerning the efficacy of the Voter ID Bill as the 2012 Election season looms in the balance.
Michael D. Brown is a practicing attorney and a County Council Member in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is an Aspen Institute Global Leadership Fellow and he is the Contributing Editor to the newly formed PoliticalJunki.com.
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Captured dogs left at Spartanburg Humane Society; new strays sent to Greenville
By Stephen Largen
About 100 animals remained at the Spartanburg Humane Society on Tuesday after county officials decided to pay the group, rather than having officers transport them to Greenville County.Spartanburg County Council voted Monday to sever ties with the SHS, opting to instead pay Greenville County $24,000 per month through February to take in and care for dogs and cats collected by Spartanburg County animal control officers.The move ended the county's relationship with the SHS.
SHS President Sandy Christiansen was not sure Tuesday of the prorated amount paid by the county to hold animals that had been brought to the SHS before the council vote.
Jamie Nelson, director of Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement, which includes animal control, said Tuesday afternoon that county animal control officers had transported about six stray animals to Greenville County's shelter.
Nelson said animal control officers had to work through “a few bugs” Tuesday, such as learning to take photos of the animals that will be posted on Spartanburg County's website so that owners won't have to drive to Greenville to find out if their pets were picked up.
During the work week, county animal control officers are scheduled to make two daily trips to Greenville County to drop off strays.
Each of the county's animal control trucks can hold between eight and 10 animals. One officer will work on Saturdays on an on-call basis, but Nelson said stray animals will not be collected by animal control officers until Mondays.
The SHS is no longer accepting strays collected by county residents, but is continuing to accept owner-surrendered pets as a result of Monday's vote.
The organization is continuing to accept surrendered pets with no charge, but the organization could opt to begin charging a fee for the service. Nelson urged county residents to not collect strays and instead contact animal control at 864-566-3582 so that officers can collect them.
Animal Allies Visit
In approaching an upcoming Ad Hoc Committee meeting involving Spartanburg County and the Spartanburg Humane Society,Mike visits one of the caring support agencies, Animal Allies. Mike met with Cleve Seay, The program director, who showed him the inner workings of what Animal Allies does to contribute to the humane comfort and care of Spartanburg's domestic animals. It was a pleasure meeting the capable, dedicated staff.
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Spartanburg Humane Society gives county a reprieve after receiving payment
By Kim Kimzey
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Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 3:55 p.m.
The Spartanburg Humane Society will continue to accept and care for stray animals from Spartanburg County through Oct. 31 after receiving a $56,250 payment Tuesday from the county.
The Spartanburg Humane Society will continue to accept and care for stray animals from Spartanburg County through Oct. 31 after receiving a $56,250 payment Tuesday from the county.
On Monday, SHS President Sandy Christiansen announced the nonprofit organization would not accept stray animals from Spartanburg County animal control officers starting Tuesday until the county pays its past due bill or makes arrangements.
Christiansen said the county is past due more than $110,000. “In order to continue housing and caring for county animals beyond October 31st, the Humane Society will need to receive the remainder of the past due balance as well as payment for November services. If we have not been paid in full by the 31st, we will be forced to suspend services for county animals indefinitely,” Christiansen said in a written statement.
Jamie Nelson is head of the county’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, the group tasked with animal control and other responsibilities. Nelson said he delivered the check to Christiansen.
Nelson said at this time animal control officers can still take animals to the SHS for impoundment. The county is also looking at other options to care and shelter unwanted animals if matters cannot be resolved with the SHS.
“The county is looking into all possible options,” Nelson said. One option includes holding animals at facilities in neighboring counties. Nelson said the Spartanburg County Office of Environmental Enforcement has taken 3,966 animals to the SHS so far this year. Most of those animals were dogs and cats, he said.
Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee salaries database for 2011
This is the 2011 salaries database of public employees earning more than $50,000 for Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties. Salaries reflect figures provided by employers. Total compensation includes all supplemental pay, as reported by employers.
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