Reaction generally was positive Tuesday to legislation that would put Aiken County’s Elections Office under the day-to-day supervision of the County Council. However, many of the people who would be affected by the bill said they weren’t aware of it until recently, so they still were trying to learn about all its provisions and understand how they would work. “I didn’t know the details of the legislation until (Tuesday) morning,” said County Administrator Clay Killian. “I think it could be a good thing because you would have more direct daily supervision of the office. The delegation members are obviously going to be in Columbia three days a week during the legislative session, and that creates logistical issues for them. But if (elections office employees) do work for the County Council, the way the bill is written now, there is somebody here they can go to for assistance on a regular basis as opposed to having to wait until somebody is available.” The legislative delegation discussed the bill during its meeting Monday evening.
The S.C. House passed the bill late last month after the five House members of the delegation introduced it. It is now under consideration by the Senate.
“I’m still trying to understand exactly how they want to structure this,” said Killian, who discussed the legislation Tuesday with District 24 Sen. Tom Young and District 25 Sen. Shane Massey. “I want to make sure if (day-to-day responsibility) comes to us, that we do it the way that it is supposed to be done. I do have some questions, and I’m trying to get those questions answered. I want to know more about it.”
Under the legislation’s provisions, South Carolina’s governor would appoint the seven members of the Aiken County Registration and Elections Commission based on the recommendation of the majority of the legislative delegation’s representative and senators. County Council would appoint and could remove the executive director of Registration and Elections.
“I have questions mostly about the appointment of the Registration and Elections commission by somebody other than the County Council, who under this legislation as written, will be responsible for the elections office and its staff,” Killian said. “I just need to know what role they’re planning on having that commission play in setting policy for the office that will be run by a different organization.”
Full Article: Election bill details unclear, but generally well-received | Aiken Standard.