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COMMITTEE REPORT
January 27, 1999
S. 352
S. Printed 1/27/99--S.
Read the first time January 19, 1999.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 352), to ratify an amendment to Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to the qualifications of Senators, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
ADDISON G. WILSON, for Committee.
TO RATIFY AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CANDIDATE FOR THE SENATE OR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MUST BE A LEGAL RESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT IN WHICH HE IS A CANDIDATE AT THE TIME HE FILES FOR THE OFFICE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The amendment to Section 7, Article III of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, prepared under the terms of a joint resolution of 1998, bearing ratification number 428, having been submitted to the qualified electors of the general election of 1998 as prescribed in Section 1, Article XVI of the Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, and a favorable vote having been received on the amendment, is ratified and declared to be a part of the Constitution so that Section 7, Article III reads:
"Section 7. No person is eligible for a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives who, at the time of his election, is not a duly qualified elector under this Constitution in the district in which he may be chosen. Senators must be at least twenty-five and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age. A candidate for the Senate or House of Representatives must be a legal resident of the district in which he is a candidate at the time he files for the office. No person who has been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or convicted of tampering with a voting machine, fraudulent registration or voting, bribery at elections, procuring or offering to procure votes by bribery, voting more than once at elections, impersonating a voter, or swearing falsely at elections/taking oath in another's name, or who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to these offenses, is eligible to serve as a member of the Senate or the House of Representatives. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, this prohibition does not apply to a person who has been pardoned under state or federal law or to a person who files for public office fifteen years or more after the completion date of service of the sentence, including probation and parole time, nor shall any person, serving in office prior to the ratification of this provision, be required to vacate the office to which he is elected."
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