South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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H. 3305

STATUS INFORMATION

Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Bedingfield, Merrill, Bingham, Duncan, Loftis, G.R. Smith, Cato, Owens, Crawford, A.D. Young, Nanney, Bannister, Daning, Harrison, Horne, Kirsh, Lowe, Lucas, E.H. Pitts, Stringer, Thompson, Toole, Wylie, T.R. Young, Long, Rice, Parker, Allison, Littlejohn, Cole, Hiott, Edge, Whitmire, Hearn, Hardwick, D.C. Smith, Pinson, J.R. Smith, Simrill, Brantley, Willis, Hamilton, Erickson, Sottile, Scott, Harrell, Delleney, Gullick, Frye, Clemmons, G.M. Smith, Battle, Sandifer, Millwood, Haley, Ballentine, M.A. Pitts, Cooper, White, Gambrell, Bowen, Umphlett, Forrester, Barfield, Chalk, Herbkersman, Viers, Spires, Huggins, Limehouse, Stewart, Kelly, Brady and D.C. Moss
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22200mm09.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 316

Introduced in the House on January 15, 2009
Introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2009
Currently residing in the Senate

Summary: Secret ballots

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS 

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   1/15/2009  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-440
   1/15/2009  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-440
   1/27/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: T.R.Young
   1/28/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Long
   2/10/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Rice, Parker, 
                        Allison, Littlejohn, Cole, Hiott, Edge, Whitmire, 
                        Hearn, Hardwick
   2/10/2009  House   Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: McLeod
   2/10/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: D.C.Smith, 
                        Pinson, J.R.Smith, Simrill, Brantley, Willis, 
                        Hamilton, Erickson, Sottile, Scott
   2/11/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Harrell, 
                        Delleney, Gullick
   2/18/2009  House   Committee report: Favorable Judiciary HJ-3
   2/19/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Frye, Clemmons
   2/19/2009          Scrivener's error corrected
   2/24/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: G.M.Smith, 
                        Battle
   2/24/2009  House   Objection by Rep. Cobb-Hunter and RL Brown HJ-26
   2/24/2009  House   Requests for debate-Rep(s). Bedingfield, Cato, 
                        Bannister, JE Smith, Owens, Nanney, GR Smith, King, 
                        Skelton, Hiott, Crawford, Lowe, Daning, Sellers, 
                        Duncan, Jefferson, and Hart HJ-26
   2/26/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Sandifer, 
                        Millwood, Haley, Ballentine, M.A.Pitts, Cooper, White, 
                        Gambrell, Bowen, Umphlett
   2/26/2009  House   Debate adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2009 HJ-100
    3/4/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Forrester
    3/5/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Barfield
   3/10/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Chalk, 
                        Herbkersman, Viers, Spires, Huggins, Limehouse, 
                        Stewart, Kelly, Brady
   3/24/2009  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Moss
   3/25/2009  House   Read second time HJ-47
   3/25/2009  House   Roll call Yeas-88  Nays-25 HJ-47
   3/26/2009  House   Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-28
   3/26/2009  Senate  Introduced and read first time SJ-6
   3/26/2009  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-6
   4/16/2009  Senate  Referred to Subcommittee: L.Martin (ch), Rankin, Hutto, 
                        Bright, Davis
    5/6/2009  Senate  Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-14

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/15/2009
2/18/2009
2/19/2009
5/6/2009

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

May 6, 2009

H. 3305

Introduced by Reps. Bedingfield, Merrill, Bingham, Duncan, Loftis, G.R. Smith, Cato, Owens, Crawford, A.D. Young, Nanney, Bannister, Daning, Harrison, Horne, Kirsh, Lowe, Lucas, E.H. Pitts, Stringer, Thompson, Toole, Wylie, T.R. Young, Long, Rice, Parker, Allison, Littlejohn, Cole, Hiott, Edge, Whitmire, Hearn, Hardwick, D.C. Smith, Pinson, J.R. Smith, Simrill, Brantley, Willis, Hamilton, Erickson, Sottile, Scott, Harrell, Delleney, Gullick, Frye, Clemmons, G.M. Smith, Battle, Sandifer, Millwood, Haley, Ballentine, M.A. Pitts, Cooper, White, Gambrell, Bowen, Umphlett, Forrester, Barfield, Chalk, Herbkersman, Viers, Spires, Huggins, Limehouse, Stewart, Kelly, Brady and Moss

S. Printed 5/6/09--S.

Read the first time March 26, 2009.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3305) proposing an amendment to Section 1, Article II of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to elections by secret ballot and protection of the right of suffrage, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

LARRY A. MARTIN for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

See Below

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

The State Election Commission indicates there will be no impact on the General Fund of the State or on federal and/or other funds. While there is cost associated with printing a referendum ballot, the funding for statewide general elections is sufficient to cover this cost.

Approved By:

Harry Bell

Office of State Budget

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1, ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO ELECTIONS BY SECRET BALLOT AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GUARANTEE OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE BY SECRET BALLOT APPLIES IN REQUIRED DESIGNATIONS OR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION.

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

SECTION    1.    It is proposed that Section 1, Article II of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section    1.    All elections by the people shall be by secret ballot, but the ballots shall not be counted in secret. The right of suffrage, as regulated in this Constitution, shall be protected by laws regulating elections and prohibiting, under adequate penalties, all undue influence from power, bribery, tumult, or improper conduct. To preserve and protect the fundamental right of individuals to vote by secret ballot, where local, state, or federal law requires elections for public office or ballot measures, or requires designations or authorizations for employee representation, the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot is guaranteed."

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Section 1, Article II of the Constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the guarantee of the right to vote by secret ballot applies in required designations or authorizations for employee representation?

Yes    []

No    []

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

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This web page was last updated on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 2:53 P.M.