S 57 Session 111 (1995-1996)
S 0057 Joint Resolution, By McConnell, Elliott, O'Dell, M.T. Rose and Wilson
Similar(S 465, H 3245)
A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of South
Carolina, 1895, by adding Section 15 in Article XVII so as to permit the
enactment of laws and constitutional amendments by initiative petition.
10/03/94 Senate Prefiled
10/03/94 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
01/10/95 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-27
01/10/95 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-27
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, BY ADDING SECTION 15 IN
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 Articles III
and 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. Any 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 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, and precinct 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, it is a law of this State or a part of this Constitution. The
commission shall certify the results 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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