Story perspectives

South Carolina Supreme Court Allows Voter Data Sharing

9/12/2025

Summary

Story summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the state can share voter information with the federal government, reversing a lower court's decision.
This ruling permits the DOJ to access data on 3.3 million registered voters, including sensitive personal information.
Governor Henry McMaster supports the decision, noting the federal government already has much of this data.
Privacy concerns remain, with ongoing lawsuits from voters, including Anne Crook.
The State Election Commission has not yet complied with the DOJ's request, and the privacy rights lawsuit is ongoing.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, leading to the registration of millions of voters, especially in the South. Today, the Justice Department's initiative to create a national voter information database raises concerns about privacy and potential misuse, echoing historical federal interventions that sought to protect voter rights established by the Act.

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Story summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the state can share voter information with the federal government, reversing a lower court's decision.
This ruling permits the DOJ to access data on 3.3 million registered voters, including sensitive personal information.
Governor Henry McMaster supports the decision, noting the federal government already has much of this data.
Privacy concerns remain, with ongoing lawsuits from voters, including Anne Crook.
The State Election Commission has not yet complied with the DOJ's request, and the privacy rights lawsuit is ongoing.

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