State of South Carolina

South Carolina Voter Roll Access Challenge

Public Interest Legal Foundation v. Knapp

Lawsuit filed by Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) against the executive director of South Carolina Elections Commission Howard Knapp challenging the commission’s voter roll access policy.  PILF alleges that the state elections commission, citing a state law that only allows South Carolina residents to request voting records, denied their request for a copy of the state’s voter registration rolls. PILF argues this policy violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and prevents PILF from inspecting  the registration records for voters that it believes should be purged from voter rolls The NVRA is a federal law that requires states to maintain publicly accessible voter registration records. The plaintiff is asking the court to demand the state election commission release a copy of its voter roll to PILF.

A hearing on motions for summary judgment was held on Sept. 16, 2024.

RESULT: On Sept. 18, 2024, the judge granted PILF’s motion for summary judgment. PILF will receive access to South Carolina’s statewide voter registration list.

Case Documents

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