COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The South Carolina attorney general's office says it's enlisting the help of former U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement in getting approval for a new law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

The attorney general's office sent a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Justice Department informing them of Clement's assistance if needed. Clement was solicitor general from 2005 to 2008. He did not immediately return a message for comment.

Alan Wilson's office also told the federal agency the state Election Commission would supply answers to its questions within 2 1/2 weeks. The Justice Department said in a letter Monday it needed more information before deciding whether to allow the state to proceed with the voter ID law.

Any change to the state's election laws must be cleared.

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