election laws

The leader of South Carolina's Senate Republicans is warning that failing to create a system for oversight of gubernatorial appointees to the state's elections board could mean catastrophic consequences for the state's future balloting. Sen. Shane Massey spoke with The Associated Press on Friday, a day after the chances of having true early voting in upcoming elections in South Carolina appeared to be near death. Both chambers have unanimously passed a reform bill. But Massed pushed for a provision that would give senators oversight on the entire Election Commission. Other Republicans, including House Speaker Jay Lucas and Gov. Henry McMaster, oppose that provision.

The South Carolina House has unanimously approved allowing two weeks of early voting and other changes to the state election laws. The 114-0 vote on Wednesday brought Democrats and Republicans together on issues that have been contentious in other states. The biggest change in the bill would be to make South Carolina the 45th state to allow anyone to vote outside of Election Day without an excuse. The early voting would be over two weeks with polls open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The bill makes voting fraud a felony instead of a misdemeanor.