South Carolina v. United States

South Carolina sought and obtained approval (preclearance) under the Voting Rights Act of a law (modified during litigation) that required voters to present a photo ID at the polls.

South Carolina, along with a number of other states and municipalities with a history of voter discrimination, is covered under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act which requires it to secure DOJ or Court approval for changes in its election laws. DOJ determined that the state’s voter ID law would disproportionately impact minorities and blocked its implementation.