Cunningham proposing voting, redistricting reform amid national GOP crackdown on voting rules

Proposals to end straight-ticket voting, expand early voting and reform redistricting are among the changes that will be floated by Democratic candidate for governor Joe Cunningham on Friday. Meanwhile nationwide, conservatives in Congress and Republican-controlled state legislatures continue ramping up efforts to nix expanded voting procedures that voters got a taste of in 2020.

Cunningham said his 10-point plan would “protect and expand voting rights in South Carolina,” and also includes automatic voter registration at 18, allowing voters to register and cast a ballot on the same day, 30 days of early voting, an expansion of ID types that can be used to vote and making Election Day a state holiday.

The plan would also eliminate witness signatures for mail-in ballots, make ballot drop boxes available in every county and invest in voting machines and personnel to cut down on lines.

“Right now South Carolina has some of the most restrictive and archaic voting laws in the country, and when I’m governor that’s going to change,” Cunningham said in a statement. “In our state, you can vote with your concealed weapons permit but not your college ID. You have to sign an affidavit swearing that you are unable to vote on election day before you can vote early. And South Carolina is one of only six states that still allows straight-ticket voting which is nothing more than state-sponsored partisanship. It’s time for our state to lead on voting rights and this plan will help us do just that.”

After serving a term in Congress, Cunningham is now in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination for governor with state Sen. Mia McLeod and activist Gary Votour. Gov. Henry McMaster will seek another term in 2022.

Read more: https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/story/cunningham-proposes-voting-redistricting-reform-amid-national-gop-crackdown-on-voting-rules