Voters skeptical about county election board leadership

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Dysfunction and disappointment. That's the sentiment from many concerned residents in Columbia surrounding the Richland County Elections Commission.

"We're tired and embarrassed in Richland County of the continuing scandals that continues to go on in the Richland County Election Commission," said Former GOP Chair Katon Dawson.

Peter Kennedy has worked as a poll manager and has attended every public meeting.

When Howard Jackson took office he thought things may be turning around.

"From the standpoint of somebody who completely distrusted the system, I was taking some baby steps," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said he now has no confidence in the board and blames in part, the legislative delegation.

But, he says transparency can go a long way.

"Let's tell everybody what's going on, let's tell everybody what happened, how did we make mistakes, what are we going to do to not make mistakes again and that will go a long way to regain the trust of everybody," Kennedy said.

Dawson said she blames leadership incompetency.

"This has become an efficiency problem and the board right now seems to have all sorts of issues in leadership competency," Dawson said.

The focus for many voters now is the upcoming June election and wondering if it will be handled smoothly with the interim director in place.

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