S 465 Session 111 (1995-1996)
S 0465 Joint Resolution, By Elliott
Similar(S 57, S 192, H 3245)
A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of South
Carolina, 1895, by adding Section 15 to Article XVII so as to permit the
enactment of laws and constitutional amendments by initiative petition.
02/08/95 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-10
02/08/95 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-10
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 15 TO
ARTICLE XVII SO AS TO PERMIT THE ENACTMENT OF
LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BY
INITIATIVE PETITION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Article XVII of the
Constitution of this State be amended by adding:
"Section 15. In addition to the provisions of Article III
and Article XVI of this Constitution, relating to the enactment of
laws and constitutional amendments, there is reserved in the people
the power to enact laws and constitutional amendments by means of
initiative petition. An initiative petition must contain a full and
correct copy of the title and text of the proposed law or amendment
and must be signed by a number of qualified electors, not fewer
than eight percent of the qualified electors eligible to vote at the last
general election. A valid signature on an initiative petition must
include the name, complete address, precinct, and voter registration
identification number of the signer. A petition must be presented to
the State Election Commission at least sixty days before a general
election. If the commission determines that the petition conforms
to the requirements of this section it shall submit the proposed law
or constitutional amendment to the qualified electors of this State at
the next general election. If a majority of the qualified electors
voting on the proposed law or constitutional amendment vote in
favor of the proposed law or constitutional amendment it is a law of
this State or a part of this Constitution. The commission shall
certify the result to the Code Commissioner who shall assign the
law or constitutional amendment to an appropriate place in the Code
of Laws or the Constitution."
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 Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be
amended by adding a new section so as to provide for the
enactment of a law or constitutional amendment initiated by a
petition signed by no fewer than eight percent of the qualified
electors eligible to vote at the last general election followed by a
majority vote in favor of the proposed law or constitutional
amendment at the next general election?
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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