Official: Sumter residents should expect new voter registration cards by end of month

All Sumterites should receive their new voter registration cards in the next week or so.

That was the message from Pat Jefferson, Sumter County Voter Registration and Elections director, on Monday. Delays and issues in Columbia with the state Election Commission, which is printing of all 46 counties' new cards, have caused the slowdown, she said.

Due to redistricting every 10 years to account for population shifts after U.S. Census data are collected, new electoral lines must be drawn so districts can have the same number of people in each. That means a voter may be in a new district even without having moved.

The card is "for informational purposes only," Jefferson added, and not necessary when going to vote in the upcoming 2022 general midterm election. A registered voter only needs to present an acceptable form of identification to vote.

"Whoever formerly represented you may not represent you anymore," Jefferson said. "That is why we are sending it out to everybody - it's for informational purposes."

Up to six districts may have changed for Sumter residents: U.S. Congress, state House of Representatives, state Senate, county council, Sumter school board and city council.

However, a Sumter resident's voting precinct will be the same as before because there were no precinct changes, Jefferson said.

Jefferson added if a registered Sumter voter does not receive a new card by the first week of October, the voter should call the local Voter Registration and Elections office at (803) 436-2310, or visit the office, 141 N. Main St., in the old Sumter County Courthouse. A voter should also call if the address listed on a new voter registration card is incorrect.

If a voter wants to find out any updates based on redistricting, go online to SCVotes.gov. On the home page, click the "Voters" tab at the top and then click "Get My Sample Ballot."

After completing the field entrees, a voter's districts will appear along with precinct information.

The Sumter Item will publish a special Vote 2022 section of the newspaper that will run in print and online Oct. 1. It will include Q&As from candidates as well as polling locations, sample ballots and other information voters need to know before heading to the polls.