The RNC passes a resolution for excellence in America’s voting system
Here is how South Carolina can lead the way
Here is a link to the full RNC Resolution: URGING A “RETURN TO EXCELLENCE” IN AMERICAN VOTING AND ELECTIONS. This resolution passed unanimously and addresses many key concerns most American voters have with our current election process. SC Safe Elections is encouraged about this first step as it addresses many key issues with elections such as:
Encouraging/maximizing participation
Maintaining state not federal control of election law
Ensuring swift and accurate results
Keeping it local with easily accessible and geographically dispersed polling places
Ensuring that only US citizens vote
Providing a non-electronic option to voters
Paper ballot systems that are auditable and voter-verifiable
South Carolina has already addressed some of these issues and concerns (we have laws that limit ballot harvesting and do not have universal mail in balloting). As the first in the South for the Democratic and Republican primary, we can be the gold standard for election excellence—- if we pass additional election integrity measures. Over the next several weeks we will show specific ways in which we can reform our current system to ensure that our voters have the utmost confidence in our elections.
We encourage our state senators and representatives, governor, and State Election Commission to support three election integrity bills currently in the House Subcommittee—H. 4259, H. 4260, and H. 4261. These bills will allow for:
Establishing a pilot program of hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots
Robust hand-count audits and forensic audits
Eliminating early voting and electronic poll books (which are not certified) while reducing absentee balloting
Giving full observation rights to every citizen to examine all phases of the election process
Establishing rigorous chain of custody documentation and procedures for all system components
Ensuring qualified electors have access to key audit documents and voter rolls at no charge
Since our state has a Republican controlled legislature as well as the governor’s seat our state should be eager to honor this resolution by passing bills that make elections trustworthy. We will be evaluating our state elected officials on how each of them responds to these initiatives.
Action steps:
Please read the resolution and the bills.
Contact your legislators, particularly if they are on the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to pass these bills to make SC elections first in the nation for election integrity.
Reach out to us at 803-998-0902 if you would like to volunteer as a county captain to help with this effort. We would like all counties to participate.
Blessings,
The SCSE Team