COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina House committee advanced a bill that creates a 9-day window of no-excuse-needed early voting, but limits voters' ability to vote early.
The bill sent Tuesday to the House floor ends the hybrid form of early voting available for a month before Election Day. Democrats say the measure limits voters' access to polls.
A change by the committee expanded the window from seven days to nine. Early voting would be available for two Saturdays before an election.
Currently, people can vote in-person absentee if they pick an excuse for why they can't vote Election Day, such as being at work or on vacation. Republican Rep. Alan Clemmons says his bill cleans up the system.
It would eliminate the in-person absentee option while leaving intact voting absentee by mail.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
