There is a statewide constitutional amendment that will appear on ballots in the November 6, 2018 General Election.
The Statewide Constitutional Amendment Question and Explanation that will appear is:
Amendment 1
Must Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution of this State, relating to state constitutional officers, be amended so as to provide that beginning in January 2023, or upon a vacancy in the office of Superintendent of Education after the date of the ratification of the provisions of this paragraph, whichever occurs first, the Superintendent of Education must be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate; to provide that the appointed Superintendent of Education shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor; and to require the General Assembly to provide by law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for the office?
Explanation
A ‘Yes’ vote will require the Superintendent of Education be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.
A ‘No’ vote maintains the current method of electing a Superintendent of Education.
The question comes directly from the legislation passed by the General Assembly (H3146). The explanations were developed and approved by the Constitutional Ballot Commission, which is comprised of the Attorney General, the Executive Director of the State Election Commission, and the Director of the Legislative Council (See S.C. Code of Laws §7-13-2120). State law also requires the SEC to make any constitutional amendment questions and explanations “available to the news media, upon request, at least ten days prior to the general election.” The question and explanation are also available to the general public at www.scVOTES.org.
As we move closer to the 2018 General Election, the SEC will be encouraging voters to familiarize themselves with this question, and any other local questions, prior to election day.