Free webinars aim to inform SC voters

This is a big election year with candidates and ballot initiatives on the local, county and state levels. The South Carolina State Library is helping prepare voters to make informed decisions.

The library is hosting a Getting Ready for the Elections webinar at 11 a.m. Monday that will detail the resources available to voters through the South Carolina Election Commission’s website: how to register to vote, facts on the candidates, and the issues and other information informed voters need, said Elaine Sandberg, information services librarian.

“You have to be prepared to be able to vote,” she said.

The webinar will also discuss publications available in print at the State Library and online, political party websites, the State Ethics Commission and the Columbia League of Women Voters sites.

The webinar is a part of the South Carolina State Government “Bit by Bit” webinar series that is in its third year at the state library and aims to introduce government employees and citizens to the abundance of information available on the state government websites.

Sandberg said that while a wealth of information exists, many voters do not know how to locate it. The webinars are aimed at teaching voters what resources exist and how to use them.

The January webinar will be geared toward teaching voters how to navigate documents such as election reports, which Sandberg said are not user friendly.

“You have to know what you are looking for to find it,” she said.

A second webinar, Legislation Resources, will be held Feb. 22. The course will address the resources available on the South Carolina Legislature’s website, the South Carolina Association of Counties’ website and the new rfa.sc.gov site.

Sandberg said the legislation webinar will focus on finding current legislators and legislation, particularly on the state budget and bills that may impact local communities. The course will address how to contact legislators before a crucial vote is taken and issues such as how much money is spent on education and other services.

“It’s important to be engaged, informed citizens and see if you can affect the way the government is going,” Sandberg said. “It’s part of being a good citizen.”

To register for the free webinars, visit statelibrary.sc.gov and click on the events link on the homepage. On the calendar of events, choose the webinar and click on the registration link. Attendees will receive a unique link to join the webinar.

To attend a webinar in person at the State Library, email Sandberg at esandberg@statelibrary.sc.gov.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 11:33 AM with the headline "Free webinars aim to inform SC voters."