South Carolina Amendment 1, Appointed Superintendent of Education Measure (2018)

Elections in South Carolina, 2018

* General election: Nov. 6
* Voter registration deadline: Oct. 17
* Early voting: N/A
* Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

* Online registration: Yes
* Same-day registration: No
* Voter ID: Photo ID required
* Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

* * *

On the ballot: U.S. House • Governor • Attorney General • Secretary of State • State executive offices • State House • Special state legislative • Local judges • State ballot measures • School boards • Democratic primaries • Republican primaries

South Carolina Amendment 1

Election date
November 6, 2018
Topic
State executive official measures
Status
d Defeated
Type
Constitutional amendment| Origin
State legislature

* * *

List of South Carolina measuresAmendment 1Submit

* * *

South Carolina Amendment 1, the Appointed Superintendent of Education Measure, was on the ballot in South Carolina as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018.[1] The measure was defeated.

| A "yes" vote supported making the position of state superintendent of education a governor-appointed position, rather than an elected position.

|

| A "no" vote opposed the constitutional amendment, thus keeping the position of state superintendent of education as an elected position.

|

## Contents

* 1 Election results
* 2 Overview
* 3 Text of measure
* 3.1 Ballot title
* 3.2 Constitutional changes
* 3.3 Readability score
* 4 Support
* 4.1 Arguments
* 5 Opposition
* 5.1 Arguments
* 6 Campaign finance
* 6.1 Reporting dates
* 7 Background
* 7.1 How were superintendents elected in other states?
* 7.2 Who had been the superintendent in South Carolina?
* 7.3 How often did South Carolina voters approve constitutional amendments?
* 8 Path to the ballot
* 9 How to cast a vote
* 9.1 Poll times
* 9.2 Registration requirements
* 9.3 Automatic registration
* 9.4 Online registration
* 9.5 Same-day registration
* 9.6 Residency requirements
* 9.7 Verification of citizenship
* 9.8 Verifying your registration
* 9.9 Voter ID requirements
* 10 Related measures
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 Footnotes

## Election results[edit]

South Carolina Amendment 1

Result | Votes | Percentage
Yes | 654,943 | 39.90%

| 986,685 | 60.10%

Results are officially certified.
Source

## Overview[edit]

What would Amendment 1 have changed?

Amendment 1 would have made the position of state superintendent of education an appointed position, rather than an elected position. The governor would have appointed the superintendent, with the consent of the state Senate. The state legislature would have been responsible for prescribing the office's duties, compensation, and required qualifications. The measure would have taken effect on January 1, 2023, or upon a vacancy in the office after the amendment's enactment but before 2023.[1]

How were superintendents selected in other states?

As of 2018, South Carolina was one of 13 states that held elections for the office of superintendent of education. Neighboring North Carolina and Georgia also held elections for the office. The remaining 37 states appointed superintendents of education. Of these 37 states, 17 gave the power of appointment to the governor, 18 gave the power of appointment to the state Board of Education, and two states gave the power of appointment to the state college system's Board of Regents.

Where did the 2018 superintendent candidates stand on Amendment 1?

Voters in South Carolina elected the superintendent of eudcation on November 6, 2018. If voters had approved Amendment 1, the candidate elected in 2018 would have served as the state's last elected superintendent of education. Incumbent Molly Spearman (R), who was first elected superintendent in 2014, supported Amendment 1. Her initial challenger, Israel Romero (D), opposed Amendment 1. Romero, however, said he was withdrawing from the race on October 17, 2018.[2][3]

* Molly Spearman (R), the incumbent superintendent, supported Amendment 1. She said, "When I decided to run, I checked the Constitution to make sure I was qualified, and it turns out everybody is. (But) it requires a lot of skills and experience to run one of the largest agencies of state government and oversee 800,000 students."[2]

* Israel Romero (D), a former teacher and professor, opposed Amendment 1. He withdrew from the race on October 17, 2018. He stated, "Education must keep being directed by a person elected by public vote. What they are trying to do is have control. ... The superintendent has to be independent, not somebody who is being given instructions by the governor."[2]

## Text of measure[edit]

### Ballot title[edit]

The ballot title was as follows:[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?

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.[4]

| ”

|
|

### Constitutional changes[edit]

See also: Article VI, South Carolina Constitution

The measure would have added a new paragraph to Section 7 of Article VI of the South Carolina Constitution:[1]

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. The appointed Superintendent of Education shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for the office.[4]

### Readability score[edit]

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2018
Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.

The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 24, and the FRE is 6. The word count for the ballot title is 137, and the estimated reading time is 36 seconds.

In 2018, for the 167 statewide measures on the ballot, the average ballot title or question was written at a level appropriate for those with between 19 and 20 years of U.S. formal education (graduate school-level of education), according to the FKGL formula. Read Ballotpedia's entire 2018 ballot language readability report here.

## Support[edit]

### Arguments[edit]

The South Carolina League of Women Voters wrote arguments supporting and opposing Amendment 1. The following was the argument in support of Amendment 1:[5]

“  | South Carolina is one of only eight states in which state superintendents are chosen in statewide partisan elections.

In South Carolina, many statewide offices (seven) are elected by statewide partisan vote. A recent change was the Adjutant General, which has been removed as an elected position.

The seven remaining elected state positions, in addition to many important statewide commission and board members who are appointed by the General Assembly, take authority from the Governor who should be held responsible for the efficient operation of all state agencies.

An appointed Superintendent would increase the Governor’s accountability for public education issues and strengthen the Office of the Governor in this legislatively-dominated state.

The expense and difficulty of running statewide partisan campaigns may discourage the best candidates from running.[4]

| ”

|
|

## Opposition[edit]

### Arguments[edit]

The South Carolina League of Women Voters wrote arguments supporting and opposing Amendment 1. The following was the argument in opposition to Amendment 1:[5]

“  |

Since the State Superintendent has direct oversight of all the state’s public schools, an elected Superintendent makes her/him directly accountable to voters regarding K-12 education issues.

Since the largest portion of the state budget goes to education, as well as millions of dollars in federal grant money, an elected state superintendent can devote full attention to education issues without the distraction or competition of other state funding issues.

Gubernatorial appointment would not guarantee the person chosen would have the knowledge, experience or philosophy to successfully manage school issues.

Special interest lobbying could influence gubernatorial appointment of a superintendent.

As education becomes more complex and specialized, statewide campaigns require candidates to travel throughout the state, giving voters the opportunity to meet and evaluate the candidates.[4]

| ”

|
|

## Campaign finance[edit]

Total campaign contributions:

Support: | $0.00
Opposition: | $0.00

See also: Campaign finance requirements for South Carolina ballot measures

There were no ballot measure committees registered in support of the measure or in opposition to the measure.[6]

### Reporting dates[edit]

In South Carolina, ballot measure committees filed a total of four campaign finance reports in 2018. The filing dates for reports were as follows:[7]

Campaign finance reporting dates for 2018 ballot

Date  | Report  | Period
1/11/2018 | Final 2017 Report | 10/01/2017 - 12/31/2017
4/10/2018 | Report #1 | 1/01/2018 - 3/31/2018
7/10/2018 | Report #2 | 4/01/2018 - 6/30/2018
10/10/2018 | Report #3 | 7/01/2018 - 9/30/2018
1/10/2019 | Final 2018 Report | 10/01/2018 - 12/31/2018

## Background[edit]

### How were superintendents elected in other states?[edit]

As of 2018, superintendents of education were appointed in 37 states. Of these 37 states, 17 gave the power of appointment to the governor, 18 gave the power of appointment to the state Board of Education, and two states—New York and Rhode Island—gave the power of appointment to the state college system's Board of Regents. The remaining 13 states, including South Carolina, held elections for the superintendent of education. Neighboring North Carolina and Georgia also held elections for the office.

### Who had been the superintendent in South Carolina?[edit]

Between 1992 and 2018, South Carolina had a Republican superintendent of education for 15 years (55.6 percent of the years). Democrats held the office for the remaining 12 years (44.4 percent of years). Democrats held the office of superintendent of education for more years during the 27-year period than the governor's office, state Senate, or state House. Between 2003 and 2018, Republicans held a trifecta in South Carolina—controlling both chambers of the state legislature and governor’s office. Democrats retained the superintendent's office until 2011, when Mick Zais (R) was inaugurated. Zais deafeated Frank Holleman (D) at the election on November 2, 2010. Zais did not run for reelection in 2014. Molly Spearman (R) defeated Tom Thompson (D) on November 4, 2014, and became the state superintendent of education in 2015.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18

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Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
Superintendent | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R

### How often did South Carolina voters approve constitutional amendments?[edit]

From 1996 through 2016, the South Carolina State Legislature referred 38 constitutional amendments to the ballot. Voters approved 33 of the referred amendments. The average number of amendments appearing on the ballot during an even-numbered election year was between three and four. No amendments appeared on the ballot in 2016. However, two amendments appeared on the ballot in 2014. The approval rate at the ballot box was 86.84 percent during the 20-year period from 1996 through 2016. The last time voters rejected a referred amendment was in 2008.

Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments, 1996-2016

Total number | Approved | Percent approved | Defeated | Percent defeated | Even-year average | Even-year median | Annual minimum | Annual maximum
38 | 33 | 86.84% | 5 | 13.16% | 3.45 | 3.00 | 0 | 9

## Path to the ballot[edit]

See also: Amending the South Carolina Constitution

In South Carolina, a constitutional amendment must be passed by a two-thirds vote in each house of the South Carolina State Legislature.

The amendment was introduced into the state legislature as House Joint Resolution 3146 (HJR 3146) on December 15, 2016.

On February 22, 2017, the South Carolina House of Representatives approved HJR 3146 in a second-reading vote of 87 to 24 with 12 members not voting. One seat was vacant in the state House at the time of the vote, meaning 83 votes were required to pass the amendment. On February 23, 2017, the state House approved the amendment in a third reading; however, a roll call was not recorded.[1]

On May 8, 2018, the South Carolina Senate approved HJR 3146 in a second-reading vote of 26 to 6 with 14 members not voting. While the number of votes was enough to move the amendment to a third reading, HJR 3146 needed to receive 31 votes to make the ballot. On May 10, 2018, the state Senate passed the amendment in a third reading, voting 38 to six with two members not voting.[1][8]

As the amendment received more than 31 votes in the state Senate and more than 83 votes in the state House, the amendment was certified for the ballot for the election on November 6, 2018.[1]

| Vote in the South Carolina House of Representatives
February 22, 2017

Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 83 a
| Yes| No| Not voting
Total| 87| 24| 12
Total percent| 70.73%| 19.51%| 9.76%
Democrat| 17| 23| 4
Republican| 70| 1| 8

| Vote in the South Carolina Senate
May 10, 2018

Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 31 a
| Yes| No| Not voting
Total| 38| 6| 2
Total percent| 82.61%| 13.04%| 4.25%

South Carolina is the only state that requires the legislature to approve an amendment again after voter approval at an election to enact an amendment.

## How to cast a vote[edit]

See also: Voting in South Carolina

### Poll times[edit]

In South Carolina, all polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[9]

### Registration requirements[edit]

To register to vote in South Carolina, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the county and precinct in which he or she is registering, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election. Individuals who have been declared mentally incompetent by court order, who are imprisoned, or who are serving sentences for a felony conviction are ineligible to register to vote.[10] The deadline for registration is 30 days before the election. Prospective voters may register to vote online, in person at the county board of voter registration, or by downloading a voter registration form and mailing, faxing, or emailing it to the county board of voter registration.[10]

### Automatic registration[edit]

South Carolina does not practice automatic voter registration.

### Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

South Carolina has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

### Same-day registration[edit]

South Carolina does not allow same-day voter registration.

### Residency requirements[edit]

Prospective voters must be residents of the county and precinct in which they are registering to vote.

### Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

South Carolina does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

### Verifying your registration[edit]

The South Carolina Election Commission allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

### Voter ID requirements[edit]

South Carolina requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[11]

Voters can present the following forms of identification:

* South Carolina driver's license
* South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID card
* South Carolina concealed weapons permit
* South Carolina voter registration card with photo
* United States Military ID, including all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
* U.S. Passport and Passport ID Card

Voters can obtain a free photo ID from a local DMV office or a county voter registration and elections office. If the voter is already registered to vote, he or she can go to the county voter registration and elections office, give officials his or her date of birth and the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number, and have a photo taken for the ID.[11]

## Related measures[edit]

State executive official measures measures on the ballot in 2018

State| Measures
Wisconsin| Wisconsin Question 1: Elimination of State Treasurer Amendment d

## See also[edit]

2018 measures

* 2018 ballot measures
* State executive official measures on the ballot
* Elections and campaigns on the ballot
* 2018 legislative sessions

South Carolina

* South Carolina ballot measures
* South Carolina ballot measure laws

News and analysis

* Ballot measure lawsuits
* Ballot measure readability
* Ballot measure polls

|
|

## External links[edit]

* House Joint Resolution 3146

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 South Carolina Legislature, "House Joint Resolution 3146," accessed February 23, 2017
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The State, "Should SC’s governor control education? Candidates for schools chief disagree," October 5, 2018
3. ↑ U.S. News, "South Carolina Education Superintendent Candidate Withdraws," October 18, 2018
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vote 411, "On Your Ballot," accessed October 15, 2018
6. ↑ South Carolina State Ethics Commission, "Individual Reports," accessed April 2, 2018
7. ↑ South Carolina State Ethics Commission, "Reporting Calendar," accessed April 2, 2018
8. ↑ The State, "Last-minute vote means governor might pick future SC education superintendents," May 10, 2018
9. ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, “How to Vote,” accessed October 17, 2019
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 South Carolina Election Commission, “South Carolina Voter Registration Information,” accessed October 5, 2019
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 South Carolina Election Commission, "Photo ID Requirements," accessed October 7, 2019

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