A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 8, ARTICLE IV OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE ELECTION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERM OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, TO PROVIDE FOR THE JOINT ELECTION OF GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

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

SECTION    1. It is proposed that Section 8, Article IV of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 8.    (A)    A Lieutenant Governor shall must be chosen at the same time, in the same manner, continue in office for the same period, and be possessed of the same qualifications as the Governor.

(B)    Beginning with the general election of 2014, a person seeking the office of Governor in any manner that a person's name may appear on the ballot as a candidate for that office, and before that person's name is certified to appear on the ballot, shall select a qualified elector to serve as Lieutenant Governor.

(C)    In the general election, candidates for the office of Governor and the person selected by each gubernatorial candidate to serve as Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly in a manner prescribed by law so that each voter casts a single vote to fill the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

(D)    The General Assembly shall provide by law the manner in which a candidate for Lieutenant Governor is selected."

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Section 8, Article IV of the Constitution of the State be amended by adding a provision to provide that the Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly with the Governor in a manner prescribed by law so that each voter shall cast a single vote for a candidate for Governor and a candidate for Lieutenant Governor running together?

Yes    []

No    []

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."