LEGISLATION VETOED

The Fair Elections Enforcement Act

Would have allowed the Constitutional Council to pause elections when fraud is alleged during voting — and let students revote after learning the outcome. Vetoed by the president whose campaign was found guilty of fraud.

By Common Sense Carolina | Nov 15, 2025 | 3 min read

Summary

This bill was written in direct response to the 2025 election, in which a campaign was found guilty of election fraud but won anyway because voters had already cast ballots before the ruling.

The Fair Elections Enforcement Act would have given the Constitutional Council the authority to pause polling when fraud allegations arise during voting, resolve the complaint, update the ballot if a candidate is disqualified, and give students who already voted the opportunity to revote with the full picture.

The bill passed the Student Senate. It was vetoed by Student Body President Courtney Tkacs — the same president whose campaign was found guilty of the fraud this bill was designed to prevent.

Full Text

117th Student Senate of the University of South Carolina

Sponsored by Senators Whisenant and Lapsley

SECTION 1: Section 5-4-50 of Chapter 5 of the Student Government Codes is hereby added to read as follows:

Section 5-4-50: Election Pause and Extension Authority

  • (A) If during the polling period of any Student Government election, a candidate is alleged to have committed a violation of the Election Codes or the Student Government Codes, the Constitutional Council may suspend polling to allow for a timely hearing and resolution of the allegation.

    • (1) Polling shall not be suspended later than the Monday one (1) week before the University’s Spring break.

  • (B) Notice of suspension and the anticipated timeline for resolution shall be promptly communicated to the student body through official Student Government channels.

    • (1) The resolution time shall be no later than the Saturday two (2) weeks before the University’s Spring Break.

  • (C) The polling period shall resume only after the Constitutional Council has issued a final ruling on the complaint. If a candidate is disqualified, the ballot shall be updated accordingly before polling resumes.

  • (D) Any student who cast a vote prior to the suspension shall be given the opportunity to revise or recast their vote during the remaining polling period.

  • (E) This section supplements, but does not diminish the authority of the Elections Commission. The final ruling of the Constitutional Council shall conclude the matter.

legislation elections sg-reform vetoed

Related Articles