McMaster signs into law COVID-19 election rules

COLUMBIA (AP) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law Wednesday changes in South Carolina voting rules allowing anyone to cast an absentee ballot without a reason in November's general election to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

But the changes passed by the Republican dominated General Assembly did not include proposals pushed by Democrats including eliminating the requirement that a second person witness and sign the ballot and placing multiple drop boxes for ballots in counties.

State law still requires absentee ballots be mailed in or dropped off at county election commission offices in person. Voters can also cast absentee ballots in person at those offices for several weeks before Election Day.

The rules are only for the 2020 election and are similar to ones put in place for the statewide primaries in June. The November election should have four to five times as many voters, so lawmakers did give election officials more time before polls close to open absentee ballots and start counting them.

Lawmakers also have agreed to spend money on additional protective equipment for polling places and are discussing bonuses for poll workers.

McMaster signed the bill as soon as it landed on his desk Wednesday, surrounded by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.