H 4593 General Bill, By Young-Brickell, Bailey, J.M. Baxley, Cobb-Hunter, 
Davenport, Kelley, Koon, Law, Meacham, Riser, Robinson, Sharpe, Stuart, 
C.L. Sturkie, P.H. Thomas, Vaughn, Witherspoon and S.S. Wofford
 A Bill to amend Chapter 13, Title 7, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by
 adding Article 2, so as to provide a procedure for combining county boards of
 voter registration and county election commissions, provide for the
 appointment of the commission members, establish requirements for members, and
 provide for reasons for removal of members by the Governor.

   01/25/94  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   01/25/94  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-12
   02/16/94  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary HJ-14
   03/23/94  House  Debate adjourned until Thursday, March 24, 1994 HJ-44
   03/24/94  House  Amended HJ-22
   03/24/94  House  Read second time HJ-23
   03/29/94  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-11
   03/30/94  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-14
   03/30/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-15

March 24, 1994

H. 4593

Introduced by REPS. A. Young, Baxley, Wofford, Sharpe, Robinson, Sturkie, Kelley, Cobb-Hunter, G. Bailey, Vaughn, Witherspoon, Stuart, Davenport, Riser, Law, Meacham, Koon and Thomas

S. Printed 3/24/94--H.

Read the first time January 25, 1994.

A BILL

TO AMEND CHAPTER 13, TITLE 7, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 2, SO AS TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR COMBINING COUNTY BOARDS OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONS, PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS, ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS, AND PROVIDE FOR REASONS FOR REMOVAL OF MEMBERS BY THE GOVERNOR.

Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Chapter 13, Title 7, of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 7-13-210. For purposes of this article `commission' means a county voter registration and election commission created pursuant to the provisions of this article.

Section 7-13-220. When a county registration and election commission is created from an existing county election commission and a county board of voter registration, the provisions of this article apply.

Section 7-13-230. (A) Upon the adoption of an ordinance by the governing body of a county, a commission may be created composed of five, seven, or nine members. The members of the commission must be appointed by resolution of the governing body of the county. (B) Members of the commission must be appointed for terms of four years and shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Except initially, two, three, or four members, as the case may be, must be appointed for terms of two years in order that the terms may be staggered.

(C) Terms of these members shall begin on February fifteenth of the year in which they are appointed.

(D) Appointments must be made between the first day of January and the fifteenth day of March of any even numbered year.

(E) Vacancies on the commission may be filled by appointment in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired terms only.

Section 7-13-240. At least one member of the commission must represent the largest political party and at least one must represent the second largest political party as determined by the composition of that county's delegation in the General Assembly, or the make-up of the General Assembly as a whole if the county's delegation is composed of only one party's members. This political affiliation must be verified in writing, prior to appointment, to the county legislative delegation by the respective county political parties and must be provided to the Governor at the time recommendations are made.

Section 7-13-250. The commission shall employ a director of the registration and election commission and such staff as the commission shall consider necessary. The director and staff are considered county employees and must be hired following county personnel procedures. Members of the commission, the director, and staff shall receive compensation as may be appropriated by the State and the county governing body. All members of the commission must receive six hours of training provided and certified by the State Election Commission. The commission must meet quarterly during even numbered years and at such other times as the chairman may consider necessary.

Section 7-13-260. The Governor may remove any member of the commission upon reasonable cause, or failure to attend a majority of the meetings.

Section 7-13-270. In addition to funds allowed by the State, counties may supplement these funds as it considers necessary for the board to carry out its responsibilities.

Section 7-13-280. After the Governor has appointed the members of the commission created pursuant to the provisions of this article, the existing county election commission and the county board of voter registration is abolished and all duties, powers, and responsibilities are transferred to the new commission which is authorized by this article."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.