ACLU Sued South Carolina Election Commission
The lawsuit alleges FOIA violations surrounding the secret removal of the commission's former executive director.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Elections
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The South Carolina chapter of the ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina Election Commission. The legal action claims the agency violated the Freedom of Information Act when it removed Executive Director Howard Knapp.
Why it matters
The ACLU claims that the commission shielded the removal process from public oversight. The organization alleges that the decision was made following private discussions and a secret vote.
The ACLU is seeking a court hearing within 10 days of its September 21, 2026, filing. This follows the removal of Howard Knapp in September 2025, a process the lawsuit claims involved lobbying through individual contacts.
The players
ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization that defends individual rights and liberties.
South Carolina Election Commission
This is the state agency responsible for overseeing and managing election processes across South Carolina.
Howard Knapp
He is the former Executive Director of the South Carolina Election Commission who was removed from his post in 2025.
Dennis Shedd
He serves as the Chairman of the South Carolina Election Commission.
The details
The lawsuit alleges that SEC Chairman Dennis Shedd contacted commission members individually to lobby for the removal of Howard Knapp. This legal challenge also highlights tensions regarding a Department of Justice request for the state's unredacted voter registration list, which Knapp had resisted prior to his departure.
Timeline
Howard Knapp was removed as Executive Director in September 2025.
The ACLU announced the lawsuit on September 21, 2026.
The ACLU requested a court hearing within 10 days of September 21, 2026.
Political Context
The lawsuit challenges whether the commission complied with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act during its personnel deliberations. The litigation argues that the commission failed to uphold the transparency requirements mandated by the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
The legal action highlights concerns regarding the transparency of state election management for South Carolina taxpayers. Citizens may see increased scrutiny on how election commission leadership decisions are made and communicated to the public.
The takeaway
Public agencies are generally required to conduct personnel votes in an open forum to ensure governmental transparency. This case serves as a reminder for voters to track how their state commissions operate and make administrative decisions.
Further reading
For more on state voting regulations, visit South Carolina Elections.
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Should government agencies be legally required to hold public votes when removing high-level officials?
