Williamsburg County Referendum Petitions

Two formal petitions submitted by qualified electors and resident landowners to advance government restructuring and transparency requirements pursuant to the South Carolina Home Rule Act.

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Referendum Petition Cover Letter

TO:

  • Williamsburg County Council
  • Clerk to County Council
  • Williamsburg County Administrator
  • Williamsburg County Courthouse, Kingstree, SC 29556

RE: Citizen Referendum Petition — Request for Placement of County Government Restructuring Measure on the Ballot

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §§ 4-9-10 et seq. and § 7-13-10 et seq.

Dear Members of Council:

Please accept this letter and the attached petition package as a formal request that Williamsburg County Council take action to place a referendum question on the ballot for a vote of the qualified electors of Williamsburg County on the matter of restructuring the form of county government pursuant to the South Carolina Home Rule Act, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 4-9-10 et seq.

South Carolina law grants county councils authority to restructure or change their form of government and to submit such questions to the electorate. This petition is submitted by qualified electors and resident landowners of Williamsburg County to formally invoke that authority and compel a public referendum.

Requested Actions

  1. Place this petition on the next available public Council meeting agenda.
  2. Certify the petition to the Williamsburg County Board of Voter Registration and Elections.
  3. Initiate legal and feasibility review of the proposed restructuring measure.
  4. Schedule and publicly notice a public hearing as required by law.
  5. Adopt a resolution or ordinance placing the referendum question on the next general or special election ballot.
  6. Provide written acknowledgment of receipt and the scheduled agenda date.

This petition reflects documented public demand for accountability, transparency, and structural reform in Williamsburg County government. The undersigned residents respectfully urge the Council to honor its duty to the electorate and act promptly on this request.

Grounds for Restructuring

The undersigned residents and landowners submit this petition based on the following concerns regarding the current structure and operation of Williamsburg County government:

  • Lack of accountability and transparency in county governance and administration
  • Inadequate delivery of essential public services including infrastructure, utilities, and public safety
  • Need for professional county administration and independent oversight
  • Documented failure to address persistent infrastructure deficits affecting public health and welfare
  • Desire to align the county's governmental structure with best practices for counties of similar size and need
  • Documented public demand for a restructured government capable of effectively serving all residents of Williamsburg County

Signer Declaration & Requirements

Each Signer Must Certify:

  • I have personally and voluntarily signed this petition with original ink.
  • I am EITHER a qualified elector (registered voter) of Williamsburg County, SC, OR a resident landowner of Williamsburg County, SC, or both.
  • My full legal name, residence address, voter registration certificate number (if a registered voter), precinct, and landowner status are correctly stated.
  • I have NOT signed this petition more than once. Only one signature per person will be counted.
  • My signature was made no more than 180 days before the submission date of this petition (S.C. Code § 7-11-80).
  • I support placing the referendum question on restructuring Williamsburg County government on the ballot for a vote of qualified electors.
  • The information I have provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and I understand this is a legal document.

Important Legal Notice to All Signers

IMPORTANT: Only sign if you are a qualified elector (registered voter) OR a resident landowner of Williamsburg County, SC. Your signature, address, and voter registration number may be verified by the County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. Providing false information on a public petition or signing more than once may constitute a violation of South Carolina law. Signatures must not be older than 180 days at the time of submission. Only original ink signatures are accepted — photocopies, digital reproductions, or electronic signatures will not be counted.

Government Transparency Referendum

In addition to restructuring county government, we are advancing a second referendum to ensure transparency and accountability in all county government activities, particularly those involving council members serving on utility boards and non-governmental boards.

Key Requirements:

  • Access to Meeting Minutes: All county council members serving on utility and non-governmental boards must have access to complete meeting minutes and documentation.
  • Virtual Participation: Council members must have the right to participate virtually in board meetings, ensuring full engagement regardless of physical location.
  • Transparency in Governance: All governmental and quasi-governmental board activities must operate with the same transparency standards as official county council proceedings.
  • Public Accountability: Board decisions and actions affecting county residents must be documented and accessible to the public.

This referendum ensures that citizens have visibility into all board activities where their elected representatives serve, strengthening accountability and preventing governance that occurs outside of public view.

Why This Matters

Council members often serve on utility boards, water authority boards, economic development boards, and other quasi-governmental entities. Without access to meeting minutes and virtual participation options, council members cannot fully represent constituent interests or maintain transparency in decision-making. This referendum ensures that all board activities involving county leadership are conducted with the same accountability standards as official government business.

Ready to Support These Petitions?

If you are a registered voter or resident landowner of Williamsburg County, you can sign both petitions online. Your support helps ensure that our county government is restructured for greater accountability and that all government activities maintain transparency and public oversight.

Sign Petitions Now