APNewsBreak: Suit may stop SC presidential primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Four South Carolina counties have gone to court to challenge the state’s authority to conduct the 2012 presidential primary.

A state supreme court ruling in their favor could stop the Jan. 21 contest unless legislators pass a special primary law.

In a lawsuit filed on Monday, the counties argue that a 2008 law doesn’t apply to running next year’s contest. They also argue the state Election Commission lacks the authority to require counties to cover expenses for the GOP primary.

The litigation caps weeks of arguments about counties getting stuck with the tab for putting on the primary. It was filed within hours after a meeting between county voting officials and the state Election Commission.

The Supreme Court has not decided whether to hear the case.