COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle, Election Commission is being sued for not registering 17,000 17-year-olds to vote. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina filed the lawsuit against SCDMV in a Richland County court Tuesday.

The ACLU-SC started its inquiry after hearing reports that a 17-year-old tried and failed to register to vote at an SCDMV location. This citizen turned 18-years-old in time to vote in this general election.

According to the National voter Registration Act (Motor Voter) provision, the SCDMV is supposed to provide all customers the opportunity to register to vote when they apply for a new or renewed ID card or Drivers License. 

Under South Carolina law, 17-year-old may register to vote as long as they turn 18 on or before the upcoming general Election Day.

ACLU-SC representatives call for young voters to double-check the status of their registration via scvotes.gov. 

Spectrum News reached out to the SCDMV but they declined to comment.