Voter ID for AARP – David Walter Banks Photography

James Dubose sits in his wheelchair at his home in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly Americans, Dubose never had a proper birth certificate. Dubose found Brenda Williams, M.D., who is helping him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, along with the pro bono help of local attorney Ruben Gray. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens. Recent South Carolina legislation has followed a growing nationwide trend with the introduction of voter photo ID laws, requiring a state-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot. Such laws run the risk of eliminating the right to vote for over 21 million United States Citizens who lack a valid government ID.
James Dubose sits in his wheelchair at his home in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly Americans, Dubose never had a proper birth certificate. Dubose found Brenda Williams, M.D., who is helping him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, along with the pro bono help of local attorney Ruben Gray. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Thelma Hodge, 62, sings with Brenda Williams, M.D., in the front yard of her home in Maysville, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Hodge never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, and tried for 10 years before nearly giving up. Finally Hodge found Dr. Williams, who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Thelma Hodge’s delayed certificate of birth at her home in Maysville, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Hodge, 62, never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, and tried for 10 years before nearly giving up. Finally Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The home of Willie Blair, an illiterate sharecropper who lives down a dirt road in Sumter, SC, was one of the many individuals affected (his aunt is sitting in the living room). Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Blair is one of those who Dr. Williams has helped navigate through the arduous process of attaining a birth certificate retroactively and eventually a photo ID with help from local lawyer Ruben L. Gray. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Mrs. Eva Billups Andrews stands in her backyard in Manning, SC. Andrews never had a proper birth certificate or photo ID, nor did her sister. Andrews found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. The process required the help of Sumter, SC, lawyer Ruben L. Gray, court proceedings, and the history in her family Bible among much more. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The waiting room of former family court judge and private practitioner Ruben L. Gray who has donated his services free of charge to over 20 citizens lacking proper birth certificates out of his Sumter S.C. practice. Gray was brought into this fight via Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., and has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens. Williams pictured here in the judge’s waiting room.
Former family court judge and private practitioner Ruben L. Gray has donated his services free of charge to over 20 citizens lacking proper birth certificates out of his Sumter S.C. practice. Gray was brought into this fight via Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., and has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Joseph Riley stands in his living room in the Hampton Manor Community projects in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Riley never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, yet has been voting for decades. Riley found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate, which he is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Naomi Gordon stands in her living room in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Gordon never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was spelled Lnnoi, rendering it nearly useless. Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Naomi Gordon sits on her porch in Sumter, SC alongside her grandchildren. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Gordon never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was spelled Lnnoi, rendering it nearly useless. Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The Sumter, SC, Department of Motor Vehicles office requires a valid birth certificate and proof of residence in order to attain an identification.
Brenda Williams, M.D., sings to Ruth Hilton as Hilton lays in her bedroom in Manning, SC. Hilton never had a proper birth certificate or photo ID. Hilton found Williams, who has helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive.Recent South Carolina legislation has followed a growing nationwide trend with the introduction of voter photo ID laws, requiring a state-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot. Such laws run the risk of eliminating the right to vote for over 21 million United States Citizens who lack a valid government ID. Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs stands in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs holds her identification card in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs stands in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.

James Dubose sits in his wheelchair at his home in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly Americans, Dubose never had a proper birth certificate. Dubose found Brenda Williams, M.D., who is helping him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, along with the pro bono help of local attorney Ruben Gray. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens. Recent South Carolina legislation has followed a growing nationwide trend with the introduction of voter photo ID laws, requiring a state-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot. Such laws run the risk of eliminating the right to vote for over 21 million United States Citizens who lack a valid government ID.
James Dubose sits in his wheelchair at his home in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly Americans, Dubose never had a proper birth certificate. Dubose found Brenda Williams, M.D., who is helping him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, along with the pro bono help of local attorney Ruben Gray. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Thelma Hodge, 62, sings with Brenda Williams, M.D., in the front yard of her home in Maysville, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Hodge never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, and tried for 10 years before nearly giving up. Finally Hodge found Dr. Williams, who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Thelma Hodge’s delayed certificate of birth at her home in Maysville, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Hodge, 62, never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, and tried for 10 years before nearly giving up. Finally Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The home of Willie Blair, an illiterate sharecropper who lives down a dirt road in Sumter, SC, was one of the many individuals affected (his aunt is sitting in the living room). Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Blair is one of those who Dr. Williams has helped navigate through the arduous process of attaining a birth certificate retroactively and eventually a photo ID with help from local lawyer Ruben L. Gray. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Mrs. Eva Billups Andrews stands in her backyard in Manning, SC. Andrews never had a proper birth certificate or photo ID, nor did her sister. Andrews found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. The process required the help of Sumter, SC, lawyer Ruben L. Gray, court proceedings, and the history in her family Bible among much more. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The waiting room of former family court judge and private practitioner Ruben L. Gray who has donated his services free of charge to over 20 citizens lacking proper birth certificates out of his Sumter S.C. practice. Gray was brought into this fight via Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., and has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens. Williams pictured here in the judge’s waiting room.
Former family court judge and private practitioner Ruben L. Gray has donated his services free of charge to over 20 citizens lacking proper birth certificates out of his Sumter S.C. practice. Gray was brought into this fight via Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., and has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Joseph Riley stands in his living room in the Hampton Manor Community projects in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Riley never had a birth certificate nor photo ID, yet has been voting for decades. Riley found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped him navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a birth certificate, which he is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Naomi Gordon stands in her living room in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Gordon never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was spelled Lnnoi, rendering it nearly useless. Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Naomi Gordon sits on her porch in Sumter, SC alongside her grandchildren. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Gordon never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was spelled Lnnoi, rendering it nearly useless. Hodge found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
The Sumter, SC, Department of Motor Vehicles office requires a valid birth certificate and proof of residence in order to attain an identification.
Brenda Williams, M.D., sings to Ruth Hilton as Hilton lays in her bedroom in Manning, SC. Hilton never had a proper birth certificate or photo ID. Hilton found Williams, who has helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she is still waiting to receive.Recent South Carolina legislation has followed a growing nationwide trend with the introduction of voter photo ID laws, requiring a state-issued photo identification in order to cast a ballot. Such laws run the risk of eliminating the right to vote for over 21 million United States Citizens who lack a valid government ID. Brenda Williams, M.D., a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs stands in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs holds her identification card in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.
Donna Suggs stands in her kitchen in Sumter, SC. Like many elderly African Americans born to midwives, Suggs never had a proper birth certificate. On her original birth certificate, her name was written as Baby Girl Kennedy, rendering it nearly useless. Suggs found Brenda Williams, M.D., who helped her navigate through the expensive and extensive process of retroactively attaining a correct birth certificate, which she now has today. Dr. Williams, a general practitioner who runs her own family practice alongside her husband in Sumter, S.C., has helped over 50 individuals attain voter IDs and has a waiting list. Williams compares the new laws to Jim Crow-era poll taxes as those affected are disproportionately composed of poor African-American citizens.