Columbia, SC - Concerned citizens have reported to the South Carolina Republican Party regarding a potential illegal ballot harvesting operation by Democrats in Marion County. After reviewing the documents, major red flags are apparent:

- 16 Voters registered under an address that is currently vacant, one of which is a paid Democrat staffer. (See Here)

- In one precinct alone, the absentee ballot number increased by 844 ballots from the Presidential Primary to the Statewide Primary in June of this year

- At least 5 paid Democrat campaign workers have reported an address on a campaign financial disclosure that is not consistent with their Voter Registration address

Per Section 7-13-385 in SC Code of Laws “It is unlawful for a person to return more than five return-addressed envelopes in an election, in addition to his own. A person who violates this subsection, upon conviction, must be punished.” Under State Election Law, ballot harvesting is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

The SCGOP is passing all information to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to review these documents and investigate the information completely and thoroughly.

SCGOP Chairman Drew McKissick released the following statement regarding the matter:

“Clearly what’s happening in Marion County does not pass the smell test. Ballot Harvesting is a felony in South Carolina, plain and simple. As Early Voting kicks off today, I call for an immediate investigation into any irregularities and for any violations to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our citizens are entitled to election results that truly reflect the will of the people, not the will of lawbreakers.”

If you or someone you know has any information that can be helpful to this investigation, please contact the Marion County Republican Party’s Leadership, Kevin Coleridge and Linda Hawn, at [email protected] or [email protected].