SEC Statement on Court Ruling and DOJ Voter Data Request

SEC Statement on Court Ruling and DOJ Voter Data Request

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 1, 2025) - The following statement is attributable to Interim Director Jenny Wooten:

The South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) appreciates today's ruling by the Richland County Circuit Court, that confirms that the SEC may continue working with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on its request for voter data.

From the moment the DOJ submitted its request, the Commission has made clear that protecting the private information of South Carolina voters and complying with the law are its highest priorities.

Most of the information requested by the DOJ is already publicly available and may be purchased by any registered voter in South Carolina. In addition, the SEC has previously entered into agreements with other states to share voter data for the purpose of maintaining accurate voter rolls and strengthening election security.

Any decision regarding future data sharing with the DOJ will only be made by a public vote of the Commission, with at least 24 hours' public notice provided in advance.

The SEC remains committed to transparency, safeguarding the security of South Carolina's elections, and preserving the trust of the voters we serve.