State Officials: Kim Murphy's Residency Not a "Difficult Call"

An official with the State Budget and Control Board's Office of Research and Statistics said determining which county Lexington-Richland 5 board member Kim Murphy resides in was not a "difficult call."

Murphy was elected to serve in Richland County in 2010, but state officials say local maps have her Old Laurel Lane home in Chapin in the wrong county as well as another home on the same lane.

During a hearing held Friday at the district office, Sid Miller, former director of the S.C. Geodetic Survey, presented his findings in the dispute on whether Murphy lives in Richland or Lexington counties. 

Miller is a coordinator for boundary projects with the state agency and has served as chair on the NC-SC Joint Boundary Commission.

Murphy, along with her attorney, Todd Kincannon, were present prior to the start of the hearing but did not participate once the session began.

Kincannon told Patch he objected to the session because it violated the Voting Rights Act. He said the act requires that the hearing be precleared by the Justice Department.

Under Section 5 of the act, state and local governments in certain states including South Carolina are required to obtain preclearance from the Justice Department before voting changes are made.

Board attorney, Ken Childs, said he doesn't agree and that he told Kincannon he could make those objections to the school board.

"After the school board rules on those objections he can raise them in the South Carolina Circuit Court and up through the court system," Childs said. 

The school board's attorneys continue with the hearing before retired Circuit Court Judge G. Thomas Cooper Jr., who is charged with making a reccommendation to the board.

Both Miller and Bobby Bowers, director of the Office of Research and Statistics, discussed the three sources used to determine Murphy lives in Lexington County — which would make her ineligible to serve on the seven-member board.

Both officials point to the U.S. Census Bureau, precinct maps on file at the Office of Research and Statistics, and research and field work from the S.C. Geodetic Survey that show her home is located about one-tenth of a mile northwest of the Lexington County boundary.

Murphy previously submitted what she said is evidence that she resides in Richland County. She gave copies of receipts for paid property taxes in Richland County, her voter registration card and a map from the county GEOgraphic Information Systems Department of the area.

Bowers said Murphy should be voting in the Lexington County Chapin precinct.

It could be near March 11 before both sides hear Cooper's recommendation due to his schedule. 

Read more

• District 5 Board Chair Claims Kim Murphy May be Ineligible to Hold Seat
• Judge Cooper to Hear Dispute Over District 5 Board Member's Residency

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