The following letter has been sent to the Richland County Elections Commission.
If a candidate for public office is elected and qualified to serve in that office, but never takes the oath of office legally, does that candidate-elect lose the entitlement to serve after some period of time?
We have a situation in Richland School District Two that involves two trustees-elect who have never taken the oath of office legally.
Amelia McKie and Teresa Holmes were elected on November 6, 2018. They took an oath of office (illegally) on November 13, 2018 and began to serve (illegally). State law (SECTION 8-13-1110(A)) is clear that one must file a Statement of Economic Interest before taking the oath and beginning to serve.
Neither filed the SEI until December 4, 2018. On that date they became eligible to take the oath. But neither has done so. Yet they have been allowed to serve as if they are legitimate trustees.
Does the Richland County Elections Commission take an interest in candidates-elect who usurp public office?
