Sen. Ford: Controversy Over Richland County Election Overblown

— by Sen. Robert Ford

As Chairman of the Affirmative Action and Civil Rights Committee of the S. C. Legislative Black Caucus the joyful situation that people are complaining about in Richland County was brought to my attention because it pertains to complaints against agency employee’s and the 2012 General Election. Let me point out our dream of 1965, the right for which we struggled, fought and died was a reality in the State of South Carolina on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. I was extremely proud to hear that in each of the 46 counties voters, particularly African American voters turned out in record breaking numbers and stood in lines averaging 7 hours to cast their ballots.

Let me speak to my friends in Richland County especially those who call themselves Republicans, the other 45 counties in South Carolina and approximately 100 percent of all of the counties throughout the United States of America (USA) experienced the same concerns and issues you are raising holy hell about today.

In other words, my fellow South Carolinians in Richland County the hell you are raising is not justified. The State of South Carolina adopted and approved the election laws and the voting machines. To brutalize Ms. Lillian McBride and her well-qualified staff who executed their duties in this unprecedented voter turnout is inhumane. The issue being, how do we prepare for the future?

I will talk to the members of the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus Affirmative Action and Civil Rights Committee about conducting public hearings across the State of South Carolina regarding the aftermath of this election to hear their concerns and address potential issues. I hope and pray, the concerns that the Republicans (GOP) in Richland County have expressed are not based on the fact that Democrats in Richland County were able to win the majority of the seats in the General Assembly except one.