WEBVTT

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Health care, taxes,
education system, employment.

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These are the issues
that matter most to me.

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Every right, my right.

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I am part of my community,
and my right to vote matters.

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Are you prepared to vote
in the next election?

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This is a series of
videos discussing

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the rights of voters with
disabilities in South Carolina.

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In this video, we will review
how you can keep yourself safe

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while protecting your right
to vote during the COVID-19

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pandemic.

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If you would like to
learn more about voting,

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the other videos in
the series discuss

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who is eligible to vote,
how to register to vote,

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the four ways to vote, and
how to prepare to vote.

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The videos also review
some of the obstacles

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a person with a disability
might come across when voting.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Voting is one of the
most important things

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that we do as citizens.

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Through voting, we get to voice
our opinions about the things

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that matter most to us.

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Many people are worried
about their safety

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while trying to vote during
the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Many people with
disabilities are

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at a much higher risk of having
medical complications if they

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contract the virus.

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Due to the risk, the large
number of people expected

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to vote, and the need
to social distance,

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we encourage people who
are otherwise qualified

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to vote absentee, and
also have health concerns,

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to vote absentee by mail.

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Voting absentee is easy, and it
is still a safe, reliable way

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to cast your ballot.

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There are four different
ways people with disabilities

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can vote.

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Voting by a mail-in
absentee ballot

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provides the most risk-free
way to vote during the pandemic

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since you can stay in
your home while you vote.

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Many people have
never voted this way.

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Let us walk you through it.

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In South Carolina,
you must qualify

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to vote by mail-in
absentee voting.

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Anyone with a disability
or who is ill,

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or anyone caring for someone
with a disability or illness,

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automatically qualifies.

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You can request your
absentee ballot as early

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as January 1st of
the election year.

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If multiple elections are
scheduled during this time,

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you may pick which
elections you would

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like the absentee ballot for.

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You may pick more than one.

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You can request a
mail-in absentee ballot

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by contacting your county office
by mail, phone, email, or fax,

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or by logging in to
the SCVotes website.

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After you request
the application,

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you will receive the
application in the mail.

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You need to fill it out,
sign it, and mail it back.

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You should return
the application

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as soon as possible but no later
than 5 PM on the fourth day

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before the election.

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The fourth day is Friday
for all Tuesday elections.

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It is important that voters
consider US Postal Service

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transit times in choosing
to vote absentee by mail.

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First-Class Mail may
take two to five days

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to arrive at its destination.

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Voters should apply
as soon as possible

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and make sure to mail
the ballot at least

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one week before the election.

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Once the office has
processed your application,

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your ballot will be sent to you.

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Ballots usually become available
30 days before an election,

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then you can fill it
out and turn it in.

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You will be given instructions
on how to fill out your ballot.

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Make sure you follow
these instructions.

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You can turn in your ballot
by mail or by returning it

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to your county voter
registration office

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by 7 PM the day of the election.

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If you return it by
mail, please note it

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takes more than one stamp
to mail the envelope.

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If you need to have someone
else turn in your ballot

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to the office, make
sure that you fill out

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the authorized
returnee form that

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is available from
the county office.

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If you would like to
learn more about voting,

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the other videos in
this series discuss

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who is eligible to vote,
how to register to vote,

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the four ways to vote, and
how to prepare to vote.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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