The Governor’s Legal Counsel has issued a statement advising the Governor to call a special session of the Legislature next week to address the issue of succession. The statement is below.
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Statement from the Governor’s Legal Counsel Jonathan Deem regarding the need for a special session to address succession:
Contact: Sara Payne Scarbro, [email protected]
“I am advising the Governor, in light of the varying opinions on the succession law, to call a special session of the Legislature next week to address the issue.
“I’ve received dozens of calls this week from lawyers volunteering their time and opinions on this subject. I’ve spoken with lawyers from Charleston, New York, Washington D.C., past colleagues and friends.
“No two lawyers agree on when the election may take place or how the process should be handled.
“It is especially clear to me, now that the Attorney General has officially said that he disagrees with the Secretary of State, that the only way to finally put this issue to rest is for the Governor to call a special session.
“If the Legislature does not clarify its intent, the State risks a legal challenge that would undermine or delay the ability of the people to vote in an election.
“The Attorney General graciously agreed, in his opinion to the Governor, to work with the other officers of the Executive Branch and the Legislature to address these issues. The State should take him up on that offer as soon as reasonably possible.”