WHEREAS, the election process in which we choose our leaders, amend our Constitution, and determine other important matters that greatly affect the quality of life in South Carolina is the foundation of our democratic form of government; and

WHEREAS, recent events in other states and public concern involving the election process generated by those events highlight the need to evaluate the election process in South Carolina to ensure fairness, accuracy, and public confidence in the voting system and election results; and

WHEREAS, elections must be conducted in a fair and efficient manner as provided by a clearly stated rule of law; and

WHEREAS, at this time, it is appropriate for the State of South Carolina to examine its entire voting system, including methods of voting, method of tabulating votes and ways to increase voter participation; and

WHEREAS, it is time for the State of South Carolina to consider adopting a uniform statewide election process at the state and local level to guarantee voters the opportunity to make clear, informed voting decisions; and

WHEREAS, it is paramount that a group of informed and concerned citizens from the public and private sectors be convened to conduct a comprehensive, objective, nonpartisan evaluation of the election process in South Carolina.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby establish the Election Process Task Force (hereinafter referred to as "the Task Force") that shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Review state and local government laws, ordinances, and procedures pertaining to voter registration, voting, and vote counting methods, utilizing as appropriate the South Carolina Election Summit State Report issued in 1999 pursuant to Executive Order 99-17.

2. Present to the Governor, the General Assembly, and units of local government recommendations to improve citizen confidence in the election process by increasing voter participation, preventing undue difficulty in the actual voting process, and improving vote tabulation procedures if needed.

It is further ordered that the Task Force shall submit its recommendations to the Governor no later than March 2, 2001.

The membership of the Task Force will be designated by the Governor within 15 days from the date of this Executive Order.