COLUMBIA, S.C. — A court challenge filed days before Richland One’s new board members take office asks a judge to decide whether the winner of Seat 1 actually lives in the area she was elected to represent in Columbia, South Carolina.
Artina McKnight-Coard won the seat on Nov. 3, taking 62.07% of the vote against Carlos Primus to succeed Aaron Bishop, who chose not to run again after 16 years on the board. She is set to take the oath of office Monday, Nov. 16.
In the filing, Lincolnshire Community Organization secretary Patricia Gold is asking the court to hold an emergency hearing and issue a temporary order keeping McKnight-Coard from being sworn in while her eligibility is reviewed. Her filing contends the new member has residential connections to neighboring Lexington County. No judge has ruled on those claims.
When she filed to run, McKnight-Coard gave a St. Andrews Road address. In a statement released through a representative, she said she meets the requirements for Seat 1, that the results have been certified and that she is ready to start work for students and staff. The statement did not say where she considered her legal home when she filed or on Election Day.
Richland One said its board policy requires members to be registered voters in the ward or precinct where they live. The district said the county Election Commission, not the school system, certifies candidate eligibility and residency, and that any concerns should go to the commission.
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