South Carolina state legislative special elections, 2012
Two special elections for the South Carolina State Legislature took place in 2012. These elections were called to fill vacancies in the South Carolina House of Representatives, District 10, and South Carolina State Senate, District 68.
How vacancies are filled
If there is a vacancy in the South Carolina Legislature, the presiding officer of the chamber in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If candidates plan to seek the nomination through a political party primary or a political party convention, the filing period begins on the third Friday after the vacancy occurs. The qualifying deadline is eight days after the filing period opens.[1]
If a candidate plans to seek the nomination via petition, all signatures must be submitted to the appropriate filing officer no later than 60 days before the election. All signatures must be verified by the filing officer no later than 45 days before the election.[2]
A primary election must be held on the eleventh Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If necessary, a primary runoff must be held on the thirteenth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. The special election is held on the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs is less than 60 days prior to the general election, the special election must be held on the same day as the general election.[2][3]
See sources: South Carolina Const. Art. III, § 25 and South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-13-190
Special elections
July 17, 2012
☑ South Carolina Senate District 41 | |
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Glenn McConnell (R) succeeded to the office of Lieutenant Governor after Ken Ard resigned the post amid a campaign spending scandal. A special election to fill his seat was held on July 17, with a special Republican primary on May 29.[4][5]
Unofficial election results showed Hundley defeated Tinkler by a mere 14 votes - 3,098 to 3,112. Edward received 53 votes. Twenty-two votes had not been counted due to a provisional status and an automatic recount took place on July 20.[6] Hundley survived the recount, winning the seat.[7] General election candidates:
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July 24, 2012
☑ South Carolina House District 68 | |
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Thad Viers (R) resigned on March 21, 2012--a day before being indicted for stalking and harassment in the first degree. A special election to replace him was held on July 24. A special Republican primary was held on June 5. Given the small gap between the special election and the general election, local leaders called for a law blocking the special election. It was not approved prior to the special election.[8][9][10] Republican Heather Ammons Crawford won the election unopposed. Less than 1% of eligible voters turned out to vote.[11]
General election candidates:
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See also
- State legislative special elections, 2012
- South Carolina State Senate elections, 2012
- South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2012
- South Carolina State Legislature
Footnotes
- ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (A)-(B))
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (B))
- ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Constitution," accessed February 17, 2021 (Article 3, Section 25)
- ↑ Washington Post, "SC's lieutenant governor resigns amend criminal probe of campaign spending for personal items," Friday March 9, 2012
- ↑ Midlands Connect, "Glenn McConnell to serve as SC Lieutenant Governor," March 9, 2012
- ↑ Examiner, "Special election results still undetermined for SC State Senate race," July 17, 2012
- ↑ Post and Courier, "Hundley survives recount, challenged ballots in Senate District 41," July 21, 2012
- ↑ Myrtle Beach Online, "Myrtle Beach-area Rep. Thad Viers resigns from S.C. House seat," March 22, 2012
- ↑ WCSC, "Representative Thad Viers indicted by grand jury," March 21, 2012
- ↑ Carolina Live, "Local lawmakers don't want special election for Viers' vacated seat," March 28, 2012
- ↑ Myrtle Beach Online, "Crawford sole candidate; wins District 68 special election," July 24, 2012