If Lt. Gov. Ken Ard won’t go on his own, Democrats want to give voters the chance to kick him to the curb themselves. Three House Democratic members joined their party chairman, Dick Harpootlian, Thursday to announce a plan to push legislation that would allow voters to recall Ard’s election.
The bill, which could become law in the upcoming special session scheduled for next week, would apply to all constitutional officers. If the bill passes, voters would be given the chance to amend the state constitution in November to allow future election recalls.
For an election recall to be put on the ballot, under the proposal, 15 percent of the voters who took part in the original election must sign a petition.
“Why wouldn’t anybody want the people to have a direct voice in recalling an elected statewide official who is not doing their job?” Harpootlian said.
Gov. Nikki Haley said she supports the right of voters to recall an election, but she would want the legislation to be more inclusive, also allowing for the recall of House and Senate members.
“Anything that empowers the voters I’m always going to support,” Haley told The State newspaper. “At the end of the day, it’s the people we want to be satisfied with who they had.”
Haley, a Republican, has not called on Ard to resign. She said she is waiting for the justice system to run its course.
Full Article: Dems want Ken Ard recall vote | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC – News, Sports, Entertainment.