The Justice Department has rejected South Carolina's voter-identification law, saying it discriminates against minorities.
Update at 4:55 p.m. ET: In a speech earlier this month to the American Constitution Society, Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez noted the South Carolina law in explaining the Justice Department efforts to enforce the Voting Rights Act and other statutes:
Our approach to voting rights enforcement is rooted in three core objectives. One is a process objective while two are substantive objectives. On the process front, we have recommitted ourselves to ensuring the integrity and independence of our decisionmaking processes.
Substantively, we are pursuing an enforcement program that seeks to ensure access to democratic participation for all legally qualified voters, and ensures equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process free from discrimination. ...
We know that our authority and responsibility to enforce the federal voting rights laws and protect the right to vote is a sacred trust. We will continue to review all of the matters that come within our authority – from state and local redistricting plans, to absentee ballot procedures for servicemembers and overseas citizens, to state laws governing voter identification and registration – to make sure that all eligible citizens are being protected and are included in our democratic processes.
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