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A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE VI OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF THIS STATE, SO AS TO DELETE THE SECRETARY OF STATE FROM THE LIST OF STATE OFFICERS WHICH THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES TO BE ELECTED AND PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE FOR A TERM COTERMINOUS WITH THE GOVERNOR UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THE TERM OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE SERVING IN OFFICE ON THE DATE OF THE RATIFICATION OF THIS PROVISION.

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

SECTION    1.    It is proposed that Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution of this State, as last amended by Act 1 of 2015, is further amended by adding the following new paragraph at the end:

"Beginning upon the expiration of the term of the Secretary of State serving in office on the date of the ratification of the provisions of this paragraph, the Secretary of State must be appointed by the Governor, upon the advice and consent of the Senate. The term of office must be for four years, coterminous with that of the Governor. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for office, the procedures by which the appointment is made, and the procedures by which the Secretary of State may be removed from office."

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment in Section 1 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 7, Article VI of the Constitution of this State relating to state constitutional officers be amended so as to delete the Secretary of State from the list of state officers that the Constitution requires to be elected; provide that upon the expiration of the term of the Secretary of State serving in office on the date of the ratification of this provision, the Secretary of State must be appointed by the Governor, upon the advice and consent of the Senate; and require the General Assembly to provide by law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for office, the procedures by which the appointment is made, and the procedures by which the Secretary of State may be removed from office?

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'."