Today, LDF sent a letter urging South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to issue a statement condemning voter intimidation and affirming a commitment to ensure that voters will be free to vote without fear this November. Voter intimidation is a serious crime under both federal law and South Carolina law. Given evidence of intimidation in recent elections, and reports indicating organized efforts to intimidate and harass South Carolina voters during this November’s election, it is critical that the AG’s office issue a statement to warn bad actors that voter intimidation will not be tolerated.
South Carolina voters have been repeatedly subjected to threats of voter intimidation. In recent months there have already been concerning reports of voter intimidation in South Carolina that raise red flags for the potential for further voter intimidation at the polls during the general election. These threats are not new: voters were targeted in disturbing incidents of voter intimidation during the 2020 and 2022 elections.
In previous Presidential election cycles, attorneys general from across the country and across the political spectrum have issued statements addressing voter intimidation. The letter urges Attorney General Wilson to issue a public statement affirming that voter intimidation is a serious crime under both federal and South Carolina law and warn potential bad actors that there are severe penalties if they intimidate voters.
Read the full letter here.