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PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING BY REASON OF MENTAL INCOMPETENCE OR CONVICTION OF A SERIOUS CRIME, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER IS DISQUALIFIED FROM REGISTERING TO VOTE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 7, Article II of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:
"The General Assembly shall establish disqualifications for voting by reason of mental incompetence or conviction of a serious crime, and may provide for the removal of such disqualifications. Persons who are confined in a penal institution under the judgment of a court must not be entitled to vote. A person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the laws of this State or another state or jurisdiction, including but not limited to, a military or federal jurisdiction, is not entitled to vote."
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 7, Article II of the Constitution of this State, relating to the constitutional disqualifications for voting by reason of mental incompetence or conviction of a serious crime, be amended so as to disqualify an individual who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the laws of this State or another state or jurisdiction, including but not limited to, a military or federal jurisdiction?
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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