WHEREAS, in its 2000 session, the South Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that made certain changes to the state election laws; and

WHEREAS, because the legislation would have unintentionally provided incentive for candidates to file politically motivated lawsuits in the 50-day period leading up to an election; and

WHEREAS, the portions of the legislation would have been declared unconstitutional by the courts; and

WHEREAS, the legislation would have created a task force to study the difficult issue of campaign reform; and

WHEREAS, I fully support efforts to reform and improve South Carolina's election laws.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby create an Advisory Campaign Reform Study Commission that is charged with the drafting of a report, including proposals for statutory enactment, amendment, or repeal which, if adopted, would place the State on the cutting edge of electoral process reform and would reestablish the public's confidence that each vote matters.

The Study Commission shall be composed of five members to include:

1. the Executive Director of South Carolina chapter of Common Cause;

2. the President of the South Carolina chapter of the League of Women Voters;

3. the Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party;

4. the Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party; and

5. the Dean of the University of South Carolina School of Law, who shall serve as the Chair of the Commission.

The Chairmen of the respective political parties identified in Sections C(3) and C(4), above, may designate the respective state Executive Directors of those political parties to represent them at meetings of the Commission, as necessary.

The Commission must submit its report and recommendations to me and the General Assembly no later than April 16, 2001, at which time the Commission is dissolved.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 16th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000.

JIM HODGES
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:23 A.M.