Posted: 7:22 PM Jul 4, 2012
Reporter: Justin Fabiano

Click to play video

News 12 at 11 o'clock / Wednesday, July 4, 2012

AIKEN, S.C. -- For most people, Wednesday was a day of food, fireworks and fun, but for some Aiken County candidates, it was a day to petition.

"This is a good example of what we're fighting for. This is what our country is about is the freedom to vote," said Robin Saylor, Aiken County treasurer candidate.

Robin was one of about 200 candidates across South Carolina kicked off the ballot for a technicality involving paperwork filing. Now, she needs about 5,000 signatures before July 16 to get back on November's ballot.

"We're probably a little more than halfway," she said. "It's a long way to go, but we're going to keep trying."

With less than two weeks to go, she's pulling out all the stops, including getting volunteer help from people like Colen Lindell.

Lindell has helped multiple candidates. The biggest challenge, he says, is explaining the process.

"A lot of people don't understand it, and there's a lot of murkiness in the water," he said.

He also said the petition process is something people shouldn't even need to familiarize themselves with.

"I think our founding fathers would not have liked candidates being thrown off a ballot on a silly technicality, but they'd be proud that they are allowed to do the petition process and continue their candidacy that way," he said.

Candidates like Saylor say it's the American spirit in the founding fathers that keep them going.

"We're persistent, if nothing else," she said. "We're going to have more people out ringing doors every day, all day on the weekends, so if someone rings your doorbell, please answer."

WRDW I 12 On Your Cell Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Us