It鈥檚 a new year, but the same questions remain in the small town of Atlantic Beach regarding its November election.
After Atlantic Beach sent a letter to the South Carolina Governor's Office requesting it intervene on its contested November election, a letter sent Wednesday from the South Carolina Governor鈥檚 Office informed the town that the governor would not fulfill the town鈥檚 request, noting that state law does not authorize the governor to do so.聽
鈥淭he Town held an election, and no competent authority has declared it void. Absent additional information or subsequent developments, for the Governor to direct the SEC to intervene at this stage would violate his constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws of this State,鈥 the letter reads.
On Jan. 5, Joseph Dickey, the attorney representing the Town of Atlantic Beach, submitted a letter to S.C. Governor McMaster鈥檚 office requesting that the governor direct the South Carolina Election Commission to take over the administration of the town鈥檚 contested and uncertified Nov. 7 mayoral election.
The letter read that the town has attempted to address the issues of the election by contacting law enforcement agencies and by 鈥渢aking action to cure alleged improper and/or illegal acts by Town officials.鈥
Since November, the incidents related to the mayoral election are numerous and include disputed ballots amid residency concerns, the dissolution of the town鈥檚 election commission before votes were certified, the reformation of the commission and dismissal of the commission鈥檚 chairman and the town appointing a candidate鈥檚 boyfriend to that commission.
The letter on behalf of the town states that 鈥渁ll of these issues have impacted the perceived integrity of the election process and the Town only seeks to move forward ethically, legally, and without reasonable doubt.鈥
The letter from the Governor's Office was signed by Thomas Limehouse Jr., chief legal counsel for the office of the governor.
It also rebukes the town鈥檚 inability to hold elections in a trustworthy manner, noting past instances of court-challenged and controversy-riddled elections in the past.
鈥淭he Town鈥檚 repeated inability to conduct such elections in compliance with South Carolina law is equal parts embarrassing and inexcusable,鈥 the letter from the Governor鈥檚 Office reads.
The letter also notes the pending lawsuit brought against the Town of Atlantic Beach by mayoral candidate John David, who filed the case with the Supreme Court.
According to the governor鈥檚 letter, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to exercise original jurisdiction for the case, meaning it would likely instead be filed in circuit court.
Since there is a pending legal decision regarding the election, Limehouse wrote that 鈥淛ust as the Governor does not have the authority to order a new election, the Governor does not have the authority to assume a judicial role and effectively decide (or direct the SEC to assume control of) a contested matter that is the subject of ongoing litigation.鈥
The letter from the governor's office recommends the town request the Horry County Board of Voter Registration and Elections oversee its elections.
鈥淭he residents of Atlantic Beach should have confidence in the Town鈥檚 ability to conduct municipal elections, and unfortunately, the Town has not been able to provide it,鈥 the letter concludes.
(1) comment
Why on earth don鈥檛 they just become part of North Myrtle Beach.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.