S.C. voter ID law painted as larger political picture

Where voter ID stands
South Carolina’s law requiring voters to bring a picture ID to the polls remains in limbo.

The argument: The U.S. Justice Department, which must approve changes to the state’s elections through the Voting Rights Act, has found that the law discriminated against minority voters.

The Appeal: State officials disagree and have appealed. A panel of three federal judges in Washington is weighing whether the law should take effect or be struck down. Arguments are scheduled for late July, and a ruling could come by mid-September.

The ruling: The ruling will be too late to affect South Carolina’s June 12 primaries, and if the judicial panel upholds the law, it’s still unclear if it could take effect by the Nov. 6 general election. State election officials have said they would need a ruling by Aug. 1 to ensure a smooth implementation this year.

At least that is how the laws were painted by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., as well as NAACP members and union leaders who spoke before more than 100 people at a Tuesday evening rally. See more... http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120502/PC16/120509851/1165