INTRODUCED

February 17, 2022

H. 4800

L. Printed 2/17/22--S.

Read the first time February 17, 2022.

TO AMEND ACT 777 OF 1988, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES IN PARTISAN INSTEAD OF NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS BEGINNING IN 2024 AND FOR THE NOMINATION, TERMS, AND ELECTION PROCEDURES OF CANDIDATES FOR THESE OFFICES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Act 777 of 1988, as last amended by Act 607 of 1992, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION at the end to read:

"( )    Notwithstanding another provision of law, the election of the members of the board of trustees must be by partisan election beginning in 2024. Successors to members of the board whose terms expire in 2024 and thereafter shall be elected on a partisan basis as provided herein for terms of four years each. Beginning in 2024, candidates may be nominated for office in the manner provided by law, and candidates must be elected at the general election and the primary election, respectively, according to the provisions of Title 7 of the 1976 Code, mutatis mutandis.

All other provisions of law relating to election of these school trustees including areas from which members must be elected by the qualified electors of the county shall continue to apply except for provisions of law relating to the nonpartisan election of such trustees. Present members of the board elected on a nonpartisan basis whose terms expire after 2024 shall continue to serve in office but shall declare their political affiliation by affidavit filed with the Lancaster County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. Nothing herein prevents a current trustee elected on a nonpartisan basis from offering and being elected as a partisan candidate."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.