Circuit Court Judge Paul Burch ordered the names of three candidates to be removed from the South Carolina primary ballot following a hearing Monday afternoon.
Last week, Elizabeth Munnerlyn, Fred Knight and Willie Gladden sued the SC Election Commission, SC Democratic Party, Marlboro County Democratic Party, Marlboro County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, Darlington County Board of Elections and Voter Registration and Chesterfield County Board of Elections and Voter Registration.
The plaintiffs' attorneys argued Johnny Sellers, Charles English and Ryan Mackey were ineligible following the SC Supreme Court's ruling on May 2. The ruling states candidates that did not file their Statement of Economic Interest forms either properly or on time were not eligible for the SC primary ballot.
The races involved in the lawsuit are Marlboro County Sheriff, Marlboro County Council and SC House District 54. That house district includes areas of Darlington, Chesterfield and Marlboro counties.
Judge Burch made it clear to all parties involved to be honest so there could be a quick resolution. The plaintiffs' lead attorney says they were forced to file a lawsuit because they couldn't work it out.
Lawyers for the SC Election Commission argued they have no statutory authority to go against the certifications of a county party.
The SC Democratic Party and Marlboro Democratic Party agreed with the plaintiffs, saying their opponents didn't comply with the order of the SC Supreme Court and shouldn't be on the ballot. The judge agreed and declared Sellers, Mackey and English off the ballot.
Marlboro County Voter Registration officials say they will call those who've already voted by an absentee ballot to re-vote for the affected races. Darlington County election officials plan to put out signs saying you can't vote for the three candidates. Chesterfield County election officials say their ballots aren't ready yet.
The candidates removed from the ballot can file to run as petition candidates in November.
