In the final weeks of voter registration before South Carolina’s October 4th deadline, the state saw a drastic change in traditional voter registration patterns. Particularly, the number of registered minority (Hispanics and African Americans) voters has spiked significantly.
To put the situation in perspective, black South Carolinians registered at nearly double the rate of white South Carolinians. Those newly-registered, first time voters are predominately Democratic Obama supporters. Constant number crunching by both the Obama and McCain campaigns indicate that even with all the newly registered voters, McCain is still projected to win South Carolina’s traditionally Conservative general election come November 4th.
Even with the bleak outlook, South Carolina Democrats are going to extreme measures to ensure the rights of these newly registered voters. If nothing else, these new voters are looking to make a statement on Election Day. Over three hundred lawyers will be at polls throughout the state to ensure the voting rights of everyone registered in South Carolina. Their goal is to prevent a mass number of registered voters being turned away or denied the right to vote.
Both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections have been plagued by rumors of corruption at the poles. Large numbers of voters still feel disenfranchised as a result of those elections. In Florida alone major problems came to light after the 2000 elections. It was because of that election that “pregnant chad” became a household name. Votes of many were thrown out, and Al Gored lost the election largely because he lost in Florida. There have been questions about the fairness of that election ever since. Similar problems were seen again in 2004 in Ohio as Americans anxiously awaited an outcome.
In particular, this new league of lawyers is spreading the word of their presence to voters. Rules dictate that any voters wearing campaign paraphernalia in support of a candidate will be turned away on Election Day. The lawyers will make sure that any voters in violation of that rule know that they will be allowed to vote by hiding those signs of support. It had been rumored across the country, that the little known rule would be used to intimidate and turn away first time voters.
Other methods of ensuring that the new voters are allowed to vote include a voting simulator. Both parties are encouraging voters, new and old, to try the voting simulator before heading to the polls. The simulator allows voter an exact look at the ballots and a trial run at voting before the actual process.
For Democrats in South Carolina a rise in Democratic support within the state on Election Day would be a victory. While McCain will likely not carry the state with the ease that George W. Bush did in 2000 and 2004, Republicans still say they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Democrats are still hoping to prove them wrong.