Associated Press

After an aggressive filibuster, the SC Senate reached a compromise Thursday on a controversial Voter ID bill that phases in over two years new requirements for a picture ID in order for a person to vote in South Carolina. The bill also establishes a new 15-day early voting period prior to elections, maintains walk-in absentee voting for 30 days prior to an election and retains mail-in absentee voting beginning at 45 days before an election.

The photo identification requirement takes effect Jan. 2, 2012. The system carries an educational, public outreach component, so that currently-registered voters for whom obtaining a photo identification may pose a difficulty, could be assisted. The compromise proposal must be cleared by U.S. Justice Department and still must go back to the S.C. House for its consideration and passage.

Sen. Kevin Bryant posted a summary of the bill, H.3418.

Sen. Shane Massey (Edgefield, SC) presents arguments for passing the bill:

Thanks to Harry Kibler of RINOHunt for this information.

Sovereignty Resolution

Our State Sovereignty Resolution had a rough day in the House of Representatives.  The Democrats are attacking it with all the viciousness they have.  Here is an excerpt of what was said to one of our members when they called Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter:

“I said that I wanted the sovereignty resolution to go through.  She wanted to know on whose behalf I was calling on and I said my own as a constituent. She was laughing and talking to someone in the back ground when she hung up…so I did not hear all that she said but she did not give a *** that I had called.”

It is time that they do give a *** about what we want.  Representative Cobb-Hunter should be overrun with calls (her number is 803-734-2809) letting her know that we can financially support anyone who runs against her in the upcoming elections.  In fact, I will commit the first $1,000 to a real conservative in her district to support their campaign against her.

Voter Reform Bill H3418

The Voting Reform Bill was brought to the Senate floor today. As expected, there was great opposition from the Democrats.  Senator Martin (not sure if Larry or Shane Martin) moved to make the Bill a Special Order. By making the Bill a Special Order the Bill will receive primary importance over other Bills currently in the Senate.  I am proud to announce the entire Republican Caucus voted in favor of the Special Order and shut down the obstructionist Democrats. This Bill will be vital to fair elections in 2010.  Please contact every Republican in the Senate to express your support of this Bill and let them know you are pleased that they stuck together.  From the Senate Home Page you can look up all the Senate Members. Here is a link to the Senate Journal from today’s session.

Here is a message from Sen. Larry Grooms on the Senate debate: