Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Election Day 2020, Clerk Jamison denies my access inside the precinct to video document the total number of voting machines being used at this location. She mistakenly believes that it's against federal law to use cell phones in a voting precinct, so the assistant clerk calls 911, and reports that I need to be removed. Richland County and Forest Acres respond, both educate her, and other poll workers on public photography, and constitutional rights. The Poll Manager then retreats inside without further incident while I finish proving my point.
Richland County Voter Registration and Elections
Dentsville Precinct
2721 Decker Boulevard
Columbia, South Carolina 29206
Branzburg v. Hayes (1972) Supreme Court of the United States
Liberty of the press is the right of the lonely pamphleteer who uses carbon paper or a mimeograph just as much as of the large metropolitan publisher who utilizes the latest photocomposition methods. It has generally been held that the First Amendment does not guarantee the press a constitutional right of special access to information not available to the public generally.
State v. Hanapole (1970) Supreme Court of South Carolina
SC Trespass Statute applies only to private property, and has no application to
public property absent a crime.
SC Code of Laws
7-25-100 It is unlawful for a voter to allow his ballot to be seen.
7-13-130 Secrecy of the ballot shall be preserved at all times.
7- 13 -100 Poll Managers shall take the oath to solemnly swear to conduct elections
according to Law.
7-13-160 No Sheriff or Policeman shall be allow to come within the polling place except
to vote unless summoned by the Poll Manager.
South Carolina Law 23-1-240
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Title 23 Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Section 240 Body-worn cameras; definition; guidelines; policies and procedures; fund; data release.
Data recorded by a body camera is not a public record subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
The State Law Enforcement Division, the attorney general, and a circuit solicitor may request and must receive data recorded by a body-worn camera for any legitimate criminal justice purpose, and they may release data in their discretion. Also, law enforcement agencies may request and must receive data recorded by a body camera if the recording is relevant to an internal investigation of misconduct or disciplinary action involving a law enforcement officer.
The following are also entitled to request and receive the data under (a) South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure or Civil Procedure or (b) a court order:
1. the subject of the recording;
2. a criminal defendant if the recording is relevant to a pending criminal action;
3. a civil litigant if the recording is relevant to a pending civil action;
4. a person whose property has been seized or damaged in relation to, or is otherwise involved with, a crime to which the recording is related;
5. a parent or legal guardian of a minor or incapacitated person who is (a) the subject of a recording or (b) a criminal defendant; and
6. an attorney for any of the above.
2020 SC Election Commission Poll Managers Handbook P.46
As a courtesy to others, Poll Managers are Only to ASK voters not to use cell phones,
tablets, or cameras in the voting area.
Title 18 U.S.C. Section 242
It is a federal crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.
Election Day 2020, Clerk Jamison denies my access inside the precinct to video document the total number of voting machines being used at this location. She mistakenly believes that it's against federal law to use cell phones in a voting precinct, so the assistant clerk calls 911, and reports that I need to be removed. Richland County and Forest Acres respond, both educate her, and other poll workers on public photography, and constitutional rights. The Poll Manager then retreats inside without further incident while I finish proving my point.
Richland County Voter Registration and Elections
Dentsville Precinct
2721 Decker Boulevard
Columbia, South Carolina 29206
Branzburg v. Hayes (1972) Supreme Court of the United States
Liberty of the press is the right of the lonely pamphleteer who uses carbon paper or a mimeograph just as much as of the large metropolitan publisher who utilizes the latest photocomposition methods. It has generally been held that the First Amendment does not guarantee the press a constitutional right of special access to information not available to the public generally.
State v. Hanapole (1970) Supreme Court of South Carolina
SC Trespass Statute applies only to private property, and has no application to
public property absent a crime.
SC Code of Laws
7-25-100 It is unlawful for a voter to allow his ballot to be seen.
7-13-130 Secrecy of the ballot shall be preserved at all times.
7- 13 -100 Poll Managers shall take the oath to solemnly swear to conduct elections
according to Law.
7-13-160 No Sheriff or Policeman shall be allow to come within the polling place except
to vote unless summoned by the Poll Manager.
South Carolina Law 23-1-240
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Title 23 Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Section 240 Body-worn cameras; definition; guidelines; policies and procedures; fund; data release.
Data recorded by a body camera is not a public record subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
The State Law Enforcement Division, the attorney general, and a circuit solicitor may request and must receive data recorded by a body-worn camera for any legitimate criminal justice purpose, and they may release data in their discretion. Also, law enforcement agencies may request and must receive data recorded by a body camera if the recording is relevant to an internal investigation of misconduct or disciplinary action involving a law enforcement officer.
The following are also entitled to request and receive the data under (a) South Carolina Rules of Criminal Procedure or Civil Procedure or (b) a court order:
1. the subject of the recording;
2. a criminal defendant if the recording is relevant to a pending criminal action;
3. a civil litigant if the recording is relevant to a pending civil action;
4. a person whose property has been seized or damaged in relation to, or is otherwise involved with, a crime to which the recording is related;
5. a parent or legal guardian of a minor or incapacitated person who is (a) the subject of a recording or (b) a criminal defendant; and
6. an attorney for any of the above.
2020 SC Election Commission Poll Managers Handbook P.46
As a courtesy to others, Poll Managers are Only to ASK voters not to use cell phones,
tablets, or cameras in the voting area.
Title 18 U.S.C. Section 242
It is a federal crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.
