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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – Governor Henry McMaster said, Thursday, his office has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit and temporary restraining order involving the State’s Election Commission (SEC) and a South Carolina voter, Dr. Anne Crook.
The lawsuit was filed by Crook, a Calhoun County resident, in response to a formal request from the U.S. Department of Justice (DO.J) for detailed voter information.
In August, the DOJ has asked the South Carolina Election Commission to provide a full data voter list, including the last four digits of each voter’s Social Security number and full driver’s license numbers.
The D.O.J. initially set a deadline of August 21st for the SEC, but the commission was granted several extensions. Now, the federal government has given South Carolina until Friday, September 5, to turn over the requested information.
Dr. Crook’s lawsuit and temporary restraining order was approved by a state judge.
Crook argues that complying with the DOJ’s request would violate state privacy laws. However, Governor McMaster said the complaint overlooks key federal statutes that authorize such data requests.
“The Federal Government does have the authority to ask for these things, but we want to be sure, because of our interest in and it’s in our constitution about privacy…” said McMaster. “They are covered by federal law, is making them available under the proper circumstances, and we want to be sure everybody knows that.”
Yesterday the SEC met with the DOJ preparing a memo for both parties on how to define how voter data may be shared in full compliance with state and federal law, while protecting South Carolina voters.