Richland County Election Commission to Hear Protest Today

A group protesting the results of the Penny Sales Tax ballot measure will be heard at 9:30 at 2020 Hampton Street in Council Chambers.

Commission Chair Liz Crum has recused herself from the hearing since her employer, the McNair Law Firm, has an interest in the Penny Tax. Vice Chair Allen Dowdy will preside in Crum’s absence.

Appeals for Richland County Council Seats 7 and 8 will be heard following the Penny Sales Tax hearing.

Election Day in Richland County was plagued by long lines and mismanagement. At a press conference last month, the protesters said that there had been so much controversy and confusion that a new election is warranted. If it were granted, it could cost the county as much as $1 million.

Todd Kincannon, an election attorney, told Patch last month that proving an election was tainted to the point that it affected the outcome is difficult and very rare.

The Penny Sales Tax prevailed by 6,591 votes and the protesters would have to prove that the long lines on Election Day led to at least 6,591 people not voting. They would also have to persuade the Commission that all the people who did not vote would have changed the result.

See Patch’s complete coverage of the Richland County election fiasco HERE and a timeline of events HERE.

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