Election Handbook - Municipal Association of South Carolina
Election Handbook - Municipal Association of South Carolina
Election Handbook - Municipal Association of South Carolina
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U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Justice approval<br />
All municipal elections in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Carolina</strong> are subject to the federal requirements <strong>of</strong> the 1965 Voting Rights Act, as amended.<br />
42 U.S.C. Section 1973, et seq. The Voting Section <strong>of</strong> the Civil Rights Division <strong>of</strong> the U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Justice is<br />
responsible for enforcing federal statutes, like the VRA, which are designed to protect the civil rights <strong>of</strong> all individuals and<br />
prohibit discrimination because <strong>of</strong> race, color, sex, disability, religion and national origin.<br />
Any new election ordinance or changes to an existing election ordinance, including any minor changes to election<br />
practices requires review and approval (preclearance) by the VRA prior to implementation. 42 U.S.C. Section 1973c. The<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Justice is responsible for reviewing preclearance submissions under the VRA.<br />
The review and approval may take up to 60 days or longer if the Department <strong>of</strong> Justice requests more information. The<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Justice must approve the change, including annexations, before applying the ordinance. If the Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Justice “objects” during that 60-day period, the changes may not be implemented.<br />
The municipality must provide the following information in its submission:<br />
• copy <strong>of</strong> adopted ordinance,<br />
• a clear statement <strong>of</strong> the change and reason for the change,<br />
• name and contact information <strong>of</strong> person making submission,<br />
• demographic Information,<br />
• number <strong>of</strong> registered voters by race,<br />
• recent election returns,<br />
• contact information for at least two minority members who are familiar with the change,<br />
• map (if available), and<br />
• copies <strong>of</strong> articles and reports discussing change (if available).<br />
The Department <strong>of</strong> Justice has approved the provisions covering special elections under 7-13-190 and 5-15-70. However,<br />
the DOJ requests notification <strong>of</strong> a special election.<br />
Mail submissions to:<br />
U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Justice<br />
Civil Rights Division<br />
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.<br />
Voting Section, NWB<br />
Washington, D.C. 20530<br />
Main phone number: 202.307.2767 or 800.253.3931<br />
Fax numbers: 202.307.3961 or 202.307.2569<br />
As <strong>of</strong> this printing, the Web address is www.justice.gov/crt/votsec.php.<br />
The U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Justice may soon be accepting submissions electronically through its Web site. Log on to the site<br />
for updates.<br />
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