New voter registration is a major goal for us as we look toward 2012 - and it's something we can do now, before we even know who the candidates will be. We'll post opportunities to volunteer with registration drives that have already been organized, as soon as we hear about them. If you are planning on registering voters, please let us know - either so that we can ask for volunteers if you think you need them, or so we can follow up with you about how many people registered and input any contact information new voters provided to the DCDP into our database.
Here's some information on how to have your own registration drive, courtesy of Palmetto Blue for Change:
The Voter Registration Form
Forms can be downloaded, printed and copied.
Forms can either be delivered in person or mailed to the office of your county Board of Voter
Registration.
Eligibility
1. Must be a US citizen and a resident of South Carolina.
2. Voters under the age of 18 can register if they will be 18 years old on or before Election Day.
3. You cannot register to vote if you are mentally unfit by court order or have been convicted of a felony or an election law violation and are still serving your sentence, including probation or parole
Voter Registration Best Practices
1. The goal is to register Democrats but you should register anyone who approaches you and wants to register—respect their right to vote.
2. Target your activities to communities or organizations that are more likely to have people who will support Democrats.
3. Rather than asking people if they would like to register to vote, ask if you can help them update their voter registration.
4. Always be respectful.
Common Problems
1. Make sure the form is filled out correctly. Before the voter walks away, check over the form to make sure all the essential parts are filled out.
2. Get phone numbers. We don’t want to have any forms disqualified due to a small error and be unable to reach the person.
3. If someone is unsure if they are registered (they moved or haven’t voted in a long time), tell them there is no harm in re-reregistering—it is better to be safe than sorry.
Pick times and places where lots of people (and particularly folks you think may be likely to vote Democratic in 2012!) may congregate. Some suggestions: parks, public events, barber shops taking walk-ins, malls, the parking lot of your apartment complex on move-in day, your church. (Always ask permission to set up on private property.) Bring food or drinks to give out if you like. Here is some suggested text you could print as a hand-out for newly registered voters:
CONGRATULATIONS!
Things you need to know about voting in South Carolina:
WHERE TO VOTE? You’ll receive a voter registration card through mail confirming that your registration
form was complete. Your card will list the polling place where you must go to vote.
NEED TO CERTIFY YOUR REGISTRATION? Every voter who goes to the polls needs to provide a form
of identification before they can cast a ballot. Some of the most common forms of ID include: a South
Carolina Driver’s license, a South Carolina ID, a valid US Passport, a current utility bill, bank statement
paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address in this county.
ABSENTEE VOTING? To be eligible to vote by absentee ballot, a registered voter must be absent from
their county of residence on Election Day. The State of South Carolina Application for Absentee Ballot
must be completed to obtain eligibility. Contact your county board of voter registration office for more
information or visit the state’s web site www.scvotes.org.
MOVED OR MOVING? You will need to fill out another voter registration form in the new county where
you reside. You can print out a voter registration form from the state’s web site www.scvotes.org.
YOU’RE 17? If you turn 18 years old by Election Day you can register now and vote on Election Day.
NOW THAT YOU’RE REGISTERED, REMEMBER TO VOTE.
Your vote can decide who wins. That’s what democracy is all about.
South Carolina Board of Voter Registration Offices By County
www.scvotes.org
www.state.sc.us/scsec