WASHINGTON — A three-judge panel barred South Carolina’s voter ID law from going into effect before the 2012 election on Wednesday, but said it could be implemented in elections beginning in 2013.
“Act R54 as interpreted thus satisfies Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, and we grant pre-clearance for South Carolina to implement Act R54 for future elections beginning with any elections in 2013,” wrote the court. “As explained below, however, given the short time left before the 2012 elections, and given the numerous steps necessary to properly implement the law –- particularly the new “reasonable impediment” provision –- and ensure that the law would not have discriminatory retrogressive effects on African-American voters in 2012, we do not grant pre-clearance for the 2012 elections.”
