By MIKE GELLATLY The national office of the NAACP has filed a federal complaint, demanding three satellite polling places that were closed Monday be reopened.
At a press conference, members of the Aiken Chapter's executive board announced the decision to take the case to a national level as they believed "thousands of people, not just African-Americans and minorities," could be affected by the closures.
Tuesday, members of the Aiken Chapter of the civil rights organization contacted their national branch to discuss the closing of the offices.
Reading from a prepared statement, NAACP attorney Kim Anderson Ray stated that as South Carolina is one of nine states that must seek approval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open precincts, they must also seek sanction on any retrogression - according to the tenets of the 1965 Voter Rights Act.
Any action that may make it more difficult for someone to vote must be scrutinized by federally. As these three locations had previously been cleared by the Department of Justice to serve in this capacity, Ray argued, they could not be closed without direct authorization from the federal law enforcement body.
Monday the Aiken County Registration and Election Commission (ACREC) closed these stations - one in North Augusta, one in Wagener and one at Kalmia Hall in Aiken - that they had long advertised would be open for those who would not be able to vote on election day.
After a raucous ACREC meeting Monday, including two executive sessions and disorderly public comment, it was decided to close the satellite offices upon further investigation.
The meeting was held after a complaint was filed by Simpsonville Republican attorney Todd Kincannon. Kincannon contended that state law does not allow for any absentee ballots to be cast outside of the voter registration office.
County Attorney Jim Holly agreed with Kincannon's assessment through his reading of the applicable statutes and advised the board to close the polls everywhere except the election office itself.
Gary Baum, the director of public information for the State Election Commission, disagrees.
"The law does allow for this," he said. "(The law) does allow for extension office for the purposes of absentee voting."
The investigation continued Tuesday as both the State Election Commission and ACREC sought a resolution by contacting the State Attorney General's Office asking them to help in rendering a permanent decision, according to Commission Chair Kevin Bumpus.
At close of business Tuesday, the Attorney General's office had not spoken with ACREC.
In South Carolina, only one county uses a satellite office for absentee balloting. This office, in Beaufort County on Hilton Head Island, has been accepting absentee ballots for more than a decade, according to Agnes Garvin, Chair of the Beaufort Election Commission.
"But, our satellite office just doesn't open for absentee voting," she said. "It's open year round, it is an election office year round. You can register there, I have a clerk there year round."
NAACP representatives at the meeting Monday said three counties in South Carolina operated satellite offices -- Dorchester, Horry and Beaufort counties. Horry and Dorchester Counties denied ever operating such offices when asked Tuesday.
The challenge of something going on in Aiken by an out-of-county GOP attorney has turned many heads, especially those on the other side of the political divide.
Democratic Party Chair John Brecht plainly believes closing the offices "would be beneficial to the Republican Party."
Brecht contends that the more people that vote, the more likely is a Democrat win.
"This is voter suppression," he said.
Ray did not know what the next step in the procedure would be, but simply offered hope that a swift resolution would come.
This move is "effectively going to suppress the vote of African Americans and minorities," Ray said. "We have asked the Department of Justice to step in."
The complaint was sent to DOJ Tuesday, and the federal agency sent notice that the complaint had been received.
"We are looking at thousands of people, not just African Americans and minorities, but those of the majority who want to vote in this way, "James Gallman, a member of the National NAACP board said.
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Comment Title: kidds need help !
I have seen some kidds in the last couple of years get hurt and put in danger. when we went to get the police and c.s.d.help we were told that there would look into it. we have found out that the local gov, police etc. only help whith white kidds. we contacted the n.a.a.c.p. head office. they told us that it is there job to look into the problem. we still need help because the kidds who are not white are still in danger. if any body out there can help please contact us at our email address. rcbean1@yahoo.com thank you for any help that you can give us.
Posted by: Mrs. ELois Poole Clayton On: 10/21/2008
Comment Title: Liers Exposed!
It's music to my ears when corruption is exposed. It's a total insult to my intelligence when one of the said individuals thinks they can just pull a statue out of the sky and even worse, for them to think that others are dumbfounded to what they're attempting! I'm so proud that many still have the courage to call these individuals on their attempts! Don't back down and we will continue to receive REAL JUSTICE and more of the right people will continue to me fired and prosecuted!
Posted by: Elanda2 On: 10/17/2008
Comment Title: Voter Absentee Supression
If a voter needs to submit an absentee ballot, then there should be a place where these ballots are mailed into. Why is there no place to mail absentee ballots to? Closing that poling place cannot stop a voter from mailing in an absentee ballot. SC should provide a place for the receipt of all absentee ballots, one place or several, whatever is necessary, to have those absentee ballots counted. Absentee ballots should be submitted early accurate counting.
Posted by: jovan On: 10/17/2008
Comment Title: Voter suppression, plain and simple
The Republican has been engaging in these voter suppression tactics since 1980. They are deliberately trying to suppress the black votes out there. I hope the NAACP win over the GOP and the state, which is in clear violation of federal law in closing the satellite sites. This is why we need federal observers overseeing all elections. A word of advice for those planning to vote on November 4: take your camera phone into the polling place and take pictures of any underhanded tactic you may see and report it to the media.
Posted by: Ms. Vicki On: 10/17/2008
Comment Title: Closing of Polling Places
That should be a concern, but these people may can register to vote somewhere else in their District.
Posted by: Alabama State Univ. (Alumni) On: 10/17/2008
Comment Title: "Beyond The Pale"
These Republican actions are truly "Beyond The Pale" Trust me ~ The Democrats of American will never ever let THE SOUTH RISE AGAIN! Now run and tell that Republican Party!The Wallace days are over pub heads!
Posted by: On: 10/16/2008
Comment Title:
It looks to me like the Election Commission decided to not open a polling place that may not be legal. How is this helpful to open an illegal poll if someone can challenge all of the ballots cast there? If there is any question as to whether the votes can be counted, then the commission made the right decision so no one is disinfranchised. We should ask our elected officials to clarify the law if there is a question and then to make it legal to have these sorts of absentee voting places.
Posted by: Laura L On: 10/16/2008
Comment Title:
This is outrageous! What more can the Republicans do to jeopardize this election?
Posted by: Clay Pit Crew On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title: Have you tried to vote absentee?
Maybe you should try to vote absentee at the Registration and Elections Office...IF you can find a parking place...IF you can stand on line for 3 hours...and IF you don't need a restroom for said 3 hours. The county should have checked on the legality or illegality of this BEFORE the state GOP kicked them in the onions. We wonder what they will do when the NAACP turns them into minced onions. Great job of Leadership, Aiken!
Posted by: Tim Jones On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title: NO NO NO
I am a Republican. I don't support the Republican party on this measure. We can't keep people from voting early. I stood in line for two hours. Sen. Massey please step up and do the right thing. If not you will loose this election. Senator A. Shane Massey District 25 - Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick & Saluda Cos. Contact Address: (H)P.O. Box 551, Edgefield, 29824 Bus.(803) 649-6200Home(803) 480-0419
Posted by: T. Smith On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title: Ryberg
That State Senator would be Greg Ryberg. His contact information is below. Please give him a call about this. It does make sense that tax pays is having to stand in line for an hour to early vote. Senator W. Greg Ryberg District 24 - Aiken Co. Contact Address: (H)P.O. Box 1077, Aiken, 29802 Bus.(803) 641-4125Home(803) 648-9357
Posted by: Bruce On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title:
What next a polling tax?? Why don't the Republicans just put a gun to folks heads and tell them vote Mcsame or die.. The Republicans remind me of a rape victim going back to the rapist and asking them to do it again.. just please do it better this time..
Posted by: Jennifer On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title: Outrageous
It just goes to show what lengths the Republicans will go to. They are running scared and will try to win by any means necessary. I just can not believe more people are not outraged over this. This is one of the most important votes in my 40 years. People deserve to be able to cast their votes and their voices be heard. Isn’t that the way a democracy is supposed to be? I also can’t believe Aiken County Registration & Election Commission would just pull the plug on these places after advertising where to go and then not informing the public of the change. Something smells mighty fishy. Shame on all of you!
Posted by: Vick Smyth On: 10/15/2008
Comment Title: Mr.
My wife and I went to the designated polling place on Monday morning. As you know it was not open and a sign had been postedon the entry door instructig us to go to the election headquarters. We entered a line of seniors, many of whom were physically handicapped, using canes, wheelchairs, walkers, etc. We waited in line one hour before we reached the official checking credentials. This was unconscionable! It smacks of pure politics. Some of the employees at the center said it was attributable of one man.....a republican senator. When we left the line was almost twice as long.
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