DOJ seeks South Carolina voter data, raising privacy fears

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The U.S. Department of Justice and staff from the State Election Commission are now set to meet Wednesday morning, after weeks of back-and-forth, to discuss the request of voter list data from the South Carolina Election Commission.

In August, the DoJ formally requested voter list data from the South Carolina Election Commission, which includes the last four digits of all state voter’s social security numbers and driver’s license numbers.

The State Election Commission at first received the deadline of August 21, and now the DoJ said they have until September 5 to get lists of all this information to the federal government.

This matter has to do with all South Carolina voters, which the Election Commission said is around 3.4 million voters.

“Clean voter rolls and basic election safeguards are requisites for free, fair, and transparent elections,” said the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The DoJ Civil Rights Division has a statutory mandate to enforce our federal voting rights laws, and ensuring the public’s confidence in the integrity of our elections is a top priority of this administration.”

South Carolina is not the only state that received this request; several other states were also asked to submit similar data. Some have reportedly pushed back, saying it is against state laws and is an invasion of privacy, while others are reviewing the legal basis for the request.

“I am always concerned about anything that discourages people from voting. There is the potential that people will be fearful of voting,” said Lynn Teague from League of Women Voters.

The Election Commission said no data has been shared.

They said they’re committed to complying with all legal requirements, while ensuring the privacy and security of voter information.

“The South Carolina State Election Commission is taking a very good approach here. They’re being cautious. They are respecting the rights of our citizens,” said Teague.

The DoJ is requesting full voter list data, including all South Carolinian voters’ last four social security numbers and their driver’s license number.

Brandon Charochak, spokesman for Governor Henry McMaster said in a statement:

“Governor McMaster fully supports President Trump’s efforts to expose the Biden-Democrat illegal immigrant voter registration scam. South Carolina’s voter rolls are public records, which are well maintained and have been made available to the public in various formats for decades.  In addition, the federal government already has our federally issued social security numbers – that’s how they find bogus social security numbers on state voter rolls.”

Not everyone thinks this is what’s best for state voters.

“The Governor should ask himself … does he value his loyalty to Trump, and the Trump DoJ more than he values his loyalty to South Carolina voters and protecting our privacy? He is duty bound to protect our privacy,” said SC Chair of the Democratic Party, Christale Spain.

Chairman Drew McKissick of the South Carolina Republican party agrees with Trump and McMaster.

“The Trump Administration is working to ensure that everyone who’s registered to vote in our country is actually an American citizen, and therefore eligible to vote. A position that’s supported by a majority of the American people,” McKissick said in a statement.

“The South Carolina Republicans have been in charge here for 25 years,” said Spain. “If there’s a problem with voter integrity, it is their problem, and it’s been going on for 25 years. But this is another way for them to show their blind loyalty to Trump,” said Spain.

The State Election Commission said voter records can be purchased, but they don’t include some of the specific information the DOJ is asking for. State voters can buy a full statewide list for $2,500, which includes name, date of birth, registration number, and voting history.

It’s up in the air about what the consequences would be if South Carolina refuses to comply.