Spartanburg County municipalities are considering a move to give their election operations to the county. Last year, the state Legislature amended the law to require all election commissioners and staffers in every municipality to become certified through the State Election Commission.
Certification requires completion of seven courses costing $20 each per person. Municipalities also would have to pay for the trips to Columbia to take most of the courses. In addition to cost considerations, completing the certification courses and an annual continuing education course also require a tremendous time commitment, said Henry Laye, director of the Spartanburg County Office of Registrations and Elections.
Laye said the certification requirement has led local municipalities to question whether they should continue operating elections or let the county handle them.
“Can now the people who are serving as election commissioners of the municipality have the time or the means to transport themselves down there,” Laye said. “Can they get off work to do that? Do they even want to become certified?”
Each of the county’s election commissioners and Laye’s staff members are certified. Also, the county already conducts some election functions, such as assigning poll managers and preparing ballots in each municipality.
Full Article: Municipalities may stop running elections | GoUpstate.com.