H 3525

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION FRAUD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2021"; BY ADDING SECTION 7-5-35 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTORS OF THE COUNTY BOARDS OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS TO REPORT ALL SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE'S ELECTION LAWS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHEN, IN THE DIRECTOR'S PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY, HE HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT GIVES HIM REASON TO BELIEVE THAT AN OFFENSE AGAINST THE STATE'S ELECTION LAWS HAS OCCURRED; TO AMEND SECTION 7-3-20, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO REPORT ALL SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE'S ELECTION LAWS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TO THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHEN, IN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY, HE HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT GIVES HIM REASON TO BELIEVE THAT AN OFFENSE AGAINST THE STATE'S ELECTION LAWS HAS OCCURRED; TO AMEND SECTION 7-15-385, RELATING TO THE MARKING AND RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE AN AUTHORIZED RETURNEE OF ANOTHER VOTER'S RETURN-ADDRESSED ABSENTEE BALLOT ENVELOPE TO PRODUCE A CURRENT AND VALID FORM OF GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO IDENTIFICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 7-15-420, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE RECEIPT, TABULATION, AND REPORTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE APPROPRIATE ELECTIONS ENTITY TO VERIFY THAT THE ABSENTEE VOTER'S SIGNATURE ON THE RETURN-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE MATCHES THE VOTER'S SIGNATURE ON FILE WITH THE ELECTIONS ENTITY, AND TO PROVIDE THAT WHEN AN ABSENTEE VOTER'S SIGNATURE ON THE RETURN-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS DETERMINED NOT TO MATCH THE VOTER'S SIGNATURE ON FILE WITH THE ELECTIONS ENTITY, THE RETURN ADDRESSED ENVELOPE MUST NOT BE OPENED, BUT MUST BE PUT ASIDE AND THE PROVISIONAL VOTING PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN SECTION 7-13-830 MUST BE UTILIZED; AND TO AMEND SECTION 7-25-50, RELATING TO BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.