COLUMBIA, SC — Now that the Supreme Court is expected to take up Michael Letts’ appeal of Richland County’s election, the anti-tax activist said his group’s protests calling for a new election has gained traction.
“The (S.C.) Supreme Court has recognized the fact that we have not been given a fair hearing and a fair shake,” Letts said at a news conference Tuesday.
Calling Tuesday’s briefing a “State of the Citizens” address, Letts said Richland County voters are “disenfranchised at best.”
Letts took particular issue with what he said was the county’s promise “to clean up the debacle.”
“They’ve done nothing to fix it,” he said. “We’ve seen time and time again, that the political structure is more concerned about protecting its own entity than protecting the citizens of Richland County.”
Joined by at least two other members of Citizens for Better Government in Richland County, Letts has tried unsuccessfully to challenge the Nov. 6 election losing two previous appeals before the county and state election commissions.
Letts has cited the lack of voting machines below what is legally required as the basis for his group’s appeal. He also opposes the penny sales tax, which passed by more than 6,000 votes last fall.
The high court has not given notice as to when it will consider the case, but briefings to the court are due Feb. 15, Letts said.
Letts also announced the Carpenter Law Firm, of Greenville, will provide legal counsel, unlike previous appeals in which the citizens’ group did not have representation.
