Columbia, South Carolina, September 14, 2025

News Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court has cleared the way for the state’s Election Commission to share voter data with the U.S. Department of Justice after lifting a restraining order. The court ruled that the initial order blocking the data release was based on an error. The release concerns personal information from approximately 3.3 million registered voters, raising privacy concerns highlighted by a resident’s lawsuit. While the Election Commission aims for compliance, further judicial proceedings may still affect the timeline for data release.

Columbia, South Carolina – Supreme Court Ruling Allows Voter Data Release to DOJ

The South Carolina Supreme Court has removed a restraining order that previously blocked the state’s Election Commission from sharing voter data with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The court ruled that a lower court had made an error in granting the initial restraining order, which had been filed by Anne Crook, a resident concerned about her privacy rights.

The voter data in question encompasses personal details of approximately 3.3 million registered voters in South Carolina. This includes names, dates of birth, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The decision allows the Election Commission to move forward with its compliance to the DOJ’s request, aiming to increase transparency in election practices.

Anne Crook filed the lawsuit to block the data release, citing violation of privacy under state law. While the initial restraining order had been in place, allowing Crook and her legal team time to argue their case, the Supreme Court’s latest ruling effectively overturns that restriction. Nonetheless, the court has sent the case back to the lower court for further consideration, allowing Crook to potentially seek additional hearings aimed at stopping the data release.

The DOJ’s request for South Carolina’s voter registration data was originally made in August, with a deadline for compliance set for September 5. Governor Henry McMaster has publicly expressed his intent for the state to comply with the DOJ’s needs, filing a motion to intervene in the case. His office contends that the release of this data falls in line with both state and federal laws, asserting that similar information is already accessible by federal agencies.

While Governor McMaster supports the data release, Crook’s lawsuit raises serious privacy issues that the Supreme Court did not address in their recent ruling. The decision focused primarily on procedural matters concerning the restraining order that had been issued by Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein. This order was criticized for failing to adequately explain the potential harm to Crook if her personal information were disclosed.

As of now, definitive timelines for the release of the voter data remain uncertain, pending further judicial proceedings. Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto and Crook’s legal team have voiced their commitment to continuing the lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of addressing privacy concerns.

Various states, including Illinois, have opted not to provide similar voter data to the DOJ, citing their own privacy regulations. Discussions regarding the balance between sharing voter data and protecting individual privacy continue between the South Carolina Election Commission and the DOJ. Updates on these talks and any potential changes to data sharing practices are expected to be forthcoming.

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Additional Resources

• South Carolina Daily Gazette
• Democracy Docket
• WRDW
• Wikipedia: Voter Data
• Google Search: South Carolina Voter Data

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