SC’s newest third party launches ballot initiative

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s newest political party is launching an initiative to allow voters to recall politicians who violate the public’s trust, whether through illegal activity or embarrassing the state.

American Party Chairman Jim Rex said Thursday it’s time to give voters the option of recall elections to discipline politicians who won’t police themselves.

That would require changing the state constitution. The Legislature would have to approve by a two-thirds majority putting the proposal on the ballot. The American Party must first find a legislator willing to introduce such a bill.

Rex says he hopes a successful petition drive pressures legislators into supporting the idea. He says a recall election should be possible if 10 percent of the number of voters who elected a legislator or statewide officer sign a petition.