Exciting Changes at the Ballot Box in South Carolina!
In a major twist of events, voters in South Carolina have decided to make a big change to the Constitution! With about 80% of the vote counted, an impressive 85% backed the amendment. This amendment specifically alters Section 4 of Article II, clarifying who is allowed to vote in our beautiful state.
What’s the Big Deal About This Amendment?
The current language of the Constitution states, “Every citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law.” Sounds familiar, right? But now it switches gears to specify that we should only recognize “Only a citizen of the United States and of this State of the age of eighteen and upwards who is properly registered is entitled to vote as provided by law.” This change brings a more focused definition of who can cast their ballot in South Carolina.
This isn’t just a local affair, either. Similar measures have popped up in eight states, including our neighbor, North Carolina! Looks like this trend is gaining momentum across the region.
Greenville County’s Sales Tax Hike Fails
Switching gears a bit, let’s chat about Greenville County! While some parts of the ballot were picking up steam, others were hitting a bump in the road. Residents cast their votes on whether or not to implement a 1% sales tax increase in the county to fund various improvements. Unfortunately for those in favor, the proposal fell short, losing by approximately three percentage points!
The exact question voters faced was: “Must a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in Greenville County for not more than 8 years to raise the amounts specified for the following purposes?” If it had passed, the tax hike would have funneled in over $1 billion for essential upgrades. We’re talking about road and intersection improvements, ensuring roadway safety, easing congestion, and dealing with bridge and road-related drainage issues.
With every county road counted, Greenville boasts a whopping 1,800 miles of roads, making it the leader in the state! But here’s the catch — only 28 to 32 miles can be paved each year. Talk about a slow roll! The county is currently investing about $78 million annually into road maintenance, which includes help from the state’s Department of Transportation, contributing $27 million, and the County Transportation Committee fund, which chips in an additional $4 million from state gas taxes.
The Future Looks Bright
Though not every measure passed, the engagement in the voting process shows a deep concern for the community and its infrastructure. With such clear resounding support for the amendment to our voting laws, it’s evident that South Carolinians are eager to make their voices heard. Whether it’s amending the Constitution or improving our roads, it looks like residents are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work!
As we look ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how these changes affect the landscape of voting rights and infrastructure in South Carolina. One thing’s for sure: the power of the vote is clearly alive and well!
Make sure to stay tuned for more updates as South Carolina continues to show its resilient spirit!
