This past October, a scandal at the South Carolina State Election Commission centered on a major financial overrun and alleged misconduct involving a contract for new voting machines. A $28 million contract for 3,200 ballot scanners ballooned by an unexplained $4 million, prompting investigations by multiple state agencies.
As a result, the executive director, Howard Knapp, and deputy director, Paige Salonich, were both fired, and a third staffer was also dismissed. Salonich was caught planting a voice recorder in the commission’s training room, leading to additional controversy and her subsequent lawsuit against the commission for releasing embarrassing information about her termination.
Election Commission Chairman, Dennis Shedd, described other serious issues, including the falsification of documents, misuse of public resources, and misleading statements by Knapp about contract funding. Knapp’s claim that the state treasurer’s office would fund the contract proved false, causing operational and financial problems for the agency. The situation triggered further scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, especially over ongoing negotiations concerning protected voter data, but the commission insists the scandal has not affected election security or integrity.
Knapp and Salonich have both been arrested and faces charges related to embezzlement and official misconduct, as well as broader corruption allegations.
Investigations and legal proceedings remain ongoing.
