South Carolina Judge Denies Teen Voter Registration

A South Carolina judge, Daniel Coble, ruled that nearly 1,900 teenagers who checked a box to register to vote while obtaining their driver's licenses will not be able to participate in the upcoming election due to a glitch in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) system. This glitch failed to flag the teens as eligible voters, preventing them from confirming their citizenship and legal status. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit to reopen voter registration for these individuals, arguing that their constitutional rights are being violated. However, the judge stated that it was too late to rectify the situation without causing disorder in the voting system, as early voting was already underway. While approximately 6,000 other affected teens managed to register after discovering the issue, the judge emphasized the complexities involved in adding the nearly 1,900 unregistered teens to the rolls. ACLU lawyers expressed disappointment, noting that the government had failed these young voters at a critical time.