FAIRFIELD COUNTY — Several new laws took effect on New Year’s Day, including the 2011 S.C. Voter Identification Bill.

In October 2012, a federal court ruled the law could be implemented in 2013 since it provided alternatives to photo identification if a potential voter qualified due to hardship.

Though the law did not take effect in time for the fall election, now a system will be put in place to implement voter identification cards that contain a person’s photograph.

However a person can present other identification such as a driver’s license, passport or other identification issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If no photo identification can be provided on the day of the election, an elector may cast a provisional ballot that could be counted only if that voter brings a current photograph identification to the county board of registration and elections before the results have been certified.

Another option is for a voter to complete an affidavit to swear he or she is who he or she claims to be.

According to section (D)(1) (b) of Act No. 27: “If an elector does not produce a valid and current photograph identification because the elector suffers from a reasonable impediment that prevents the elector from obtaining photograph identification, he may complete an affidavit under the penalty of perjury at the polling place and affirm that the elector: (i) is the same individual who personally appeared at the polling place; (ii) cast the provisional ballot on election day; and (iii) the elector suffers from a reasonable impediment that prevents him from obtaining photograph identification. The elector also shall list the impediment, unless otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. Upon completion of the affidavit, the elector may cast a provisional ballot.”

Another legal change involves sales tax collection on durable medical equipment and supplies. S*0036 (Rat #0056, Act #0032 of 2011) was amended to phase out the sales and use tax imposed on durable medical equipment and supplies.

Finally, a joint resolution that might hit people in their pocketbooks applies to the annual fee for license plate fees for vehicles, provided the person buying a license plate is in the employee benefit program of that manufacturer. S*1268 (Rat #0202, Act #0317 of 2012) declared the fee would be $702 for those individuals provided that $20 of that fee are credited to the general fund of the state and the balance of the fee goes to local governments.

If a nonresident participates in the employee benefit program them their entire fee would go into the state’s general fund instead.