darkoshi

Reading this proposed amendment confused me at first, as the qualifications it lists match the current ones as far as I'm aware:

2024 SC Constitutional Amendment Question

Proposed Constitutional Amendment Question:
Must Section 4, Article II of the Constitution of this State, relating to voter qualifications, be amended so as to provide that only a citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law?

Indeed, the current constitution seems to say the same thing:
Current South Carolina Constitution

ARTICLE II
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
...
SECTION 4. Voter qualifications.
Every citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law.

I found this page which explains the proposed change:
Panel decides citizenship question on SC ballots needs no explanation

The Legislature voted earlier this year to put the question on the ballot. It asks if the state constitution’s guaranteed right to vote should change from “every” to “only a” citizen who’s at least 18 and properly registered.

Proponents said it will prevent any future court ruling that would allow non-citizens to vote in local elections in South Carolina. Democrats called it completely unnecessary, though most voted for it anyway.

Upon reflection, the "Every citizen" wording feels empowering to me. It seems to guarantee a right. The "Only a citizen" working feels restrictive; it seems to restrict a right.

(That seems typical of Republicans to me; wanting to take away people's existing rights.)

The existing constitution doesn't however guarantee the right to all citizens mentioned in Section 4. Sections 6 and 7 already provide for some restrictions:

SECTION 6. General Assembly may require demonstration of literacy.
The General Assembly may require each person to demonstrate a reasonable ability, except for physical disability, to read and write the English language as a condition to becoming entitled to vote.

SECTION 7. Disqualifications by reason of mental incompetence or conviction of crime.
The General Assembly shall establish disqualifications for voting by reason of mental incompetence or conviction of serious crime, and may provide for the removal of such disqualifications. Persons who are confined in any penal institution under the judgment of a court shall not be entitled to vote.

So it doesn't seem like the wording change would really change anything. But considering that many people in power in that State House would probably gladly take away my vote to right, I'd rather not give them any extra means to do so. I will vote NO on that question.

Ah, I now see an extra detail in the above explanation (emphasis added):
...that would allow non-citizens to vote in LOCAL elections...

The question "needs no explanation", they say. Hah.