SC voter registration deadline extended 10 days after Hurricane Helene devastation
Originally published by Caitlin Byrd for Post and Courier
South Carolina voters were given an additional 10 days to register for the Nov. 5 general election after a judge sided with a lawsuit filed by the S.C. Democratic Party addressing how the extensive power outages, flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Helene could disrupt voter registration efforts.
Circuit Judge Daniel Coble agreed with a hastily filed Democratic Party lawsuit asking that the registration deadline be extended to Oct. 14.
The deadline to register in-person was set to end Oct. 4.
Democrats said the storm, which killed dozens in the state and has left many areas without power even a week later, makes it essential to ensure every resident has the access and time needed to make sure they are registered.
“This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s an issue of the public good and ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone,” Charleston attorney Richard Hricik, who represented state Democrats, told The Post and Courier shortly before Coble issued his order.
“It makes sense; it’s the right thing,” Hricik said. “If people are thinking they are going to register to vote right before the deadline, well, then comes Helene. And when you don’t have electricity at your house, suddenly that’s probably not a priority.”
The decision came following a virtual hearing that included attorneys for the state Election Commission.
The move is not unprecedented. It happened in 2018 when massive flooding from Hurricane Florence walloped Conway and other parts of the Pee Dee. In 2016, then-Gov. Nikki Haley voluntarily extended voter registration in the Palmetto State after Hurricane Matthew.
Neither Gov. Henry McMaster nor attorneys for the S.C. Republican Party were seen attending the virtual hearing.
Thomas Nicholson, general counsel for the state Election Commission, said the governor’s office was informed about the request but was not taking a position on the matter. The office had not heard back from Attorney General Alan Wilson. State House and Senate leadership were also informed of the action.
Meanwhile, the state Republican Party said it disagreed with the portion of the judge’s ruling that extended the voter registration deadline to counties that weren’t affected by the storm.
“We call on our elected officials to make sure that there is adequate time to validate and process registration requests and guarantee the accuracy of our voter rolls before any ballots are cast,” party Chairman Drew McKissick said.
“The SCGOP will be doing everything in its power to register as many Republicans as possible before the new deadline – and make sure that they get out to the polls on Election Day,” he added.