Peeler, Ryberg and Wilson took issue with the expensive desks and chairs, but more specifically the manner in which they were ordered. "Allowing a non-binding, misleading, mail-in vote to justify the expenditure of public funds is not only bad business for the state, but sets a perilous precedent for our future," commented Peeler. "One thing's for sure. If it's not already illegal, it ought to be."
Senator Greg Ryberg of Aiken, an ardent mail-in vote critic, will co-sponsor the new legislation. "The issue before us is not the desks, it is not the chairs. It is the practice and procedures that the Senate will follow. I do not believe that someone can change the procedures based upon the whim of a few Senators. Mark my words and you can put them in cross stitch -- if we don't do something, voting by mail will come back to haunt us."
The proposed legislation will amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 30-4-65 to read, "A public body may not take action on matters over which it has jurisdiction unless it is properly convened, according to the rules, and a majority of members are present." The new section would pertain to the state title dealing with public records. An exception will be provided for the practice of polling bills out of committee when in accordance with a body's rules.
Senator Joe Wilson who originally introduced a proviso during the state budget debate to save the $133,000 earmarked for desks, will be the bill's Primary Sponsor. Said Wilson, "The people of South Carolina expect us to act in an open and honest manner. And I believe the postcard vote seriously undermines the Senate's credibility. It circumvents the Freedom of Information Act by denying public debate and it's a slap at the media. This legislation is a positive step towards rebuilding the trust between the state Senate and the citizens of South Carolina."
Concluded Peeler, "It's a shame we even have to address voting through the mail. But we cannot afford to sanction postcard votes with our silence. The people of South Carolina deserve to have their business carried out under the rules and in the open. It really isn't asking too much."