In the aftermath of ballot harvesting allegations raised against South Carolina Democrats earlier this week, the state’s top prosecutor – a Republican – is pushing the election commission to remind individual counties of their obligations under the law.
In a letter to SCVotes.gov executive director Howie Knapp, attorney general Alan Wilson noted “certain state law obligations regarding election integrity” – specifically prohibitions against ballot harvesting.
“South Carolina law considers illegal ballot harvesting to be a serious offense, which undermines our system of free and fair elections,” Wilson wrote. “I know you, your team, and election offices across the state are working diligently to ensure that South Carolina will have a free, fair, and secure election on November 5.”
Wilson’s letter cited the S.C. Code of Laws (§ 7-15-385), which holds that “it is unlawful for a person to return more than five return-addressed envelopes in an election, in addition to his own.”
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Wilson urged Knapp to forward his missive to “all 46 election offices across the state.”
According to a news release from Wilson’s office, Knapp “responded immediately, saying he would ensure all county directors receive (Wilson’s) letter today.”
Earlier this week, leaders of the S.C. Republican Party (SCGOP) accused Democrats in Marion County of engaging in “a potential illegal ballot harvesting operation.” Purported evidence of this operation was provided to Wilson’s office and the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
On Tuesday of this week (October 22, 2024), SLED public information director Renée Wunderlich confirmed to this media outlet that SLED was indeed investigating the allegations.
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THE LETTER…
(S.C. Attorney General)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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2 comments
LOL, they know Republicans will win, and if they don’t, they know they can rig it so they do, but all these early voters are freaking them out. As Lindsay famously said to the Georgia Secretary of State when he was trying to get the extra votes Trump needed, “Why don’t you do it the way we do it in South Carolina.”
Alan Wilson lacks cred.