The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP filed a federal lawsuit Monday claiming the state’s voting laws unlawfully restrict access for voters with disabilities.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Columbia, challenges provisions that limit who can help voters cast or return absentee ballots. The civil rights group says those rules violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act by making it harder for people who are blind, have mobility challenges, or need assistance to vote.
“South Carolina’s voting laws should empower all voters, not punish people who need assistance to exercise their rights,” said Brenda Murphy, president of the South Carolina NAACP.
State officials named in the suit, including the State Election Commission and Attorney General Alan Wilson, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Supporters of the restrictions argue they protect against potential fraud and preserve election integrity. They point out that voters with disabilities can still receive help from poll managers at polling places.
The lawsuit comes as South Carolina faces growing scrutiny over voting access laws following high early and absentee voting rates in recent elections.
The NAACP is asking the court to block enforcement of the disputed rules before the 2026 election cycle.
