SLED investigation finds voter registration forms given to non-citizens in compliance with federal law

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) says that any voter registration forms given to non-citizens in South Carolina were done in compliance with federal law after preliminary investigation results were released on Thursday.

According to investigators, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide an application for voter registration information to anyone who asks for public assistance as required by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). NVRA applies to any agency that offers public assistance.

The forms instruct non-citizens not to complete them, and investigators said the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council (LAC) found no cases of non-citizens voting in state elections.

RELATED: Gov. McMaster calls for investigation: Voter registration forms allegedly given to non-citizens in SC

The investigation came at the request of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster after Greenville Rep. Adam Morgan posted a picture on social media showing a voter registration form that he said a refugee received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through Medicaid. 

SLED issued its findings in a 276-page report on Thursday.

McMaster responded in a tweet, saying, "The report confirms the integrity of South Carolina's voter registration system."

Other agencies subject to NVRA requirements include:

• The Department of Social Services (DSS);
• The Department of Health and Environmental Control - WIC program;
• The Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN):
• The Department of Mental Health (DMH);
• The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS);
• The Commission for the Blind;
• The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation;
• Disability Rights South Carolina (formerly the South Carolina Protection and Advocacy
• System); and
• Armed Forces recruiting offices.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is not on the list because each state motor vehicle driver's license application, including a renewal application, submitted to the DMV serves as an application for voter registration unless the applicant fails to sign the voter registration application.