COLUMBIA (AP) -- Legislators have reached agreement on a bill that would require South Carolina voters to show photo ID at the polls and allow early voting.
A committee of House and Senate members approved a compromise Thursday, less than two hours before the regular session was set to end. Both chambers still must approve it.
The holdup had been early voting. House GOP leaders wanted only the photo ID requirement. But senators insisted that early voting be part of the bill.
The agreement creates a one-week window for voters to cast ballots early without needing an excuse for why they can't vote on Election Day. It continues to allow in-person absentee voting up to a month early with an excuse, but only on paper ballots.
The changes would take effect in 2012.
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