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What you need to know about voting on June 9th!

If you have a mail-in absentee ballot:

Return your ballot now. For your ballot to count, it must be received by the voter registration office no later than 7 p.m. on June 9.
Instead of mailing your ballot, consider personally delivering your ballot to your county voter registration office or having an authorized returnee submit your ballot for you (this person must complete an authorized returnee form first).
You CAN NOT return your absentee ballot to your polling place.
You CAN NOT vote at your polling place without returning your unvoted ballot to your voter registration office and receiving a letter authorizing you to vote at the polls.

If you do not have a ballot but still want to vote absentee:

At this point, your best option is to vote absentee in person at your county voter registration office.
In-person absentee voting ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8. Offices are open regular business hours, as well as from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. Click here for a complete list of in-person absentee locations and hours.
If you need to vote absentee by mail, the deadline to submit your application is 5 p.m., Friday, June 5. Be aware that applying for a by-mail absentee ballot this late in the process is risky. First Class mail takes at least two days to be delivered. You or an authorized returnee may have to personally return your ballot to your county voter registration office to meet the return deadline.

If you are voting on Election Day, here are some things to remember:

Election officials have taken steps to protect the health of voters and poll managers.
Poll managers have received special COVID-19 training and supplies to apply social distancing and clean common surfaces in the polling place.
Managers will wear masks, face shields and gloves.
Sneeze guards will be placed at check-in stations.
Hand sanitizer will be available for voters and poll managers.
Check your polling place at SCVOTES.org before going to the polls. Some polling places have been relocated or consolidated due to the pandemic.
Bring your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID). You can find acceptable forms of ID by clicking here.
Wear a face mask if you have one, although masks are NOT required.
Bring your own pen for signing the poll list.
Practice social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others.
Show your Photo ID by holding it up for poll managers instead of handing it to them.
You will be provided a cotton swab for making selections on the touchscreen.
Please be patient and understanding with poll managers on election day.

BBC FB Live Q&A With RCSD Sheriff Lott

Protests Erupt After George Floyd's Death

Hundreds of protesters poured into the Minneapolis streets for a second night on Wednesday, with officers using tear gas and firing rubber bullets into the crowds. Images on television and social media revealed at least one business, an auto parts store, on fire and people carrying goods out of a store that had been vandalized. Mr. Floyd’s death — and the recent shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia — has also prompted comparisons to previous killings involving the police and black people, including those of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.

Excessive force complaints against Minneapolis officers have become commonplace, especially by African-American residents. One of the officers involved in Mr. Floyd’s death, a 19-year veteran of the department identified as Derek Chauvin, 44, had several complaints filed against him, three of which led to reprimands for his language and tone. Mr. Chauvin shot a man who was trying to grab an officer’s gun.

Bridging The Gap Between Our Communities and Local Law Enforcement to Prevent Gun Violence!

BBC Upcoming Community Events

Gun Violence is still a main concern in our communities. Join us for a Gun Violence Virtual Roundtable.

Click image below for more details.

WHY DONATE TO BBC!

Financial Hardship

Donations will be used directly in any neighborhood in any community to help those in need of essential financial assistance!

Donate TODAY!

Essential Supplies

BBC volunteers will deliver essential supplies to communities in need. Drop off locations and times TBA.

Donate TODAY!

Virtual Online Meeting

We will start hosting our monthly Roundtable disscussions online. Details will be announced soon.

Donate TODAY!

BBC Still Promotes Gun Violence Prevention

Meet Dr. Jermaine Johnson, one of BBC's newest members. Click the image to find out more about Dr. Johnson and his run for SC House District 80!

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JONNIEKA FARR AND HER CAMPAIGN!

MICKELSEN DALTON, LLC is a relatively new law firm based out of Charleston, SC. They specialize in helping crime victims and their families. They represent clients from all over the country who have been shot and killed at bars, restaurants, motels, apartment complexes, etc. For more information, contact BBC at 803-908-7775.

GET YOUR RE-ELECT SHERIFF LOTT YARD SIGN BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW!

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Gun Violence Round Table

Columbia and surrounding areas ended 2019 with a "Bang" literally. There were over 10 murders in Columbia, Lexington, Aiken, etc in one week before Christmas. The deaths included a one year old child and his mother several young men in their 20's and even a woman in her 50's. Dr King's birthday is January 15 so we will honor his legacy with our first event. Unlike the Round Tables of 2019, we will formulate a plan for 2020 to fight Gun Violence on every level!

Come join us as we set a plan in motion that will unite communities!

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Building Better Communities and Faith Coalition on Gun Violence held a press conference Thursday announcing a new initiative called the Community Culture Project aimed to take action against gun violence.

“Gun violence has plagued South Carolina in the recent month and the city of Columbia alone has already seen an increase in conflict resolutions dealing with guns," Founder of BBC Perry Bradley said, "Our goal now is to help clean up and prevent gun violence. What we’ve done is we’ve combined BBC, Faith Coalition on Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, City of Columbia Police Department, the Solicitor’s Office, Brady United Against Gun Violence and Our Revolution South Carolina.”

DONATE TODAY BY CLICKING THE IMAGE!

BBC Organizes it's First

Disaster Relief Volunteer Force!

BBC knows the importance of team work. We have been organizing our Disaster Relief Volunteer Force since we learned of Hurricane Florence. Our goal is to be on standby for mobilization as a reserve to Midlands First Responders. We are equipped with lifted 4x4 trucks, flat bottom boats, power tools, etc. We have over 30 volunteers waiting to help serve the community. Our Volunteer Forces are lead by Major Melvin Whittenburg. He is a retired Major who served in the US Army. He comes with 35 years of experience and is ready to serve. Major Whittenburg is currently running for SC Secretary of State but suspended his political campaign to prepare volunteers to help in a crisis situation. Join our efforts and help your community when the time arrives.

Building Better Communities Meet With National Recording Artist "Nelly"

Our mission is to help local communities bridge the relationships with local law enforcement and to educate, energize and empower local communities to grow economic development. BBC realizes that this upcoming election is a very important one. We have traveled around the state of SC hosting numerous Voter Registration events. Getting people out to vote has truly been a challenge. Although we have a member, Major Melvin Whittenburg, our goal is to register new potential voters. We don't push any particular party. We came up with a plan to actually go to where the people are. For the next 2 months, we are setting up inside of concerts, festivals, etc. We invite political candidates to come out and join us for several reasons. With so much at stake, we need to know our candidates and where they stand. This year BBC plans to attempt to register as many new potential voters as possible and by any means necessary. The United Music Festival was a prime example of the events we are attending. As concert goers come in, we give them education materials on any candidate that provides them with material and we ask them if they are register to vote. Last night we reached potential voters from the age 18 to 63. It was amazing to discuss politics with so many different people. There were Democrats, Republicans, Independants, etc. BBC is able to reach out to SC citizens and learn what they are concerned about in this upcoming election. Two candidates were present yesterday. They were Major Melvin Whittenburg and Diondra Love. Major Whittenburg is running for SC Secretary of State and Diondra Love is running for York County Probate Judge. BBC was able to meet up with the performing artist and introduced them to Major Whittenburg. They were proud of his accomplishments and his vision for the SC Secretary of State Office. Major Whittenburg expressed his vision that "Voting is an American Right that ALL need to exercise. Our focus is to reach the younger generation to get them voting and participating in government at ALL levels." As Major Whittenburg expressed to the concert goers, "Our goal is to get them voting and not to push any particular party affiliation." National recording artist and actor, Nelly, poses with Major Whittenburg while holding his campaign flyer. Join our movement to get South Carolinians to the polls. Visit BBC at www.bbconline.org. I have enclosed photos from the event last night.

BBC & RCSD Traffic Stop Safety Session III 2019