The State Election Commission voted Wednesday to fire Executive Director Howard Knapp, citing a "desire for new leadership."
In a statement, Commission Chairman Dennis Shedd said Knapp's removal is effective immediately. Jenny Wooten, the Commission's chief of staff, will serve as interim director.
"The Commission’s leadership and staff remain dedicated to ensuring South Carolina’s elections are accurate, secure, and accessible," Shedd said.
Shedd did not give a specific reason why Knapp was dismissed.
He said his removal was unrelated to the conduct of any election in the state.
The five-member State Election Commission is appointed by the governor.
Gov. Henry McMaster's office declined to comment Wednesday.
House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens, told SC Public Radio that Knapp's removal came as a surprise.
"I haven't had any conversations with any House members that they had any concerns about (Knapp). We were at a caucus retreat last weekend, (and it was) never a point of discussion or contention," he said.
Knapp had been with the State Election Commission since 2019, starting as director of voter services before his appointment as the agency's interim director. Knapp was appointed director in 2022 and confirmed by the state Senate in 2023.
The State Election Commission's vote comes as the agency works with the U.S. Department of Justice on the release of the state's voter rolls that includes driver's license and Social Security numbers.
The DOJ request is part of a multi-state ask for voter and election information that has raised questions about what specifically the information will be used for and how the sensitive data will be stored.
Last week, the S.C. Supreme Court reversed a judge's order that temporarily blocked the release of the state's more than 3.3 million voters' registration information.
The State Election Commission has not said when it plans to release the data.
Spokesman John Michael Catalano said last week that the agency is working with the DOJ to develop an agreement that "ensures any data sharing is conducted in full compliance with the law while protecting the privacy of South Carolina voters."
"I'm very concerned about why he (Knapp) was removed," said Lynn Teague, vice president at the League of Women Voters South Carolina. "It's a very legitimate question given that we have an election coming up. ... We need reassurance (the Commission) is in fact operating independently of politics."
It's unclear whether the DOJ's request was part of the State Elections Commission's reason for Knapp's dismissal.
Knapp is also under State Law Enforcement Division investigation.
A SLED spokesperson confirmed that SLED was requested by the state Attorney General's Office on March 29, 2024, to investigate alleged misconduct involving Knapp.
The case is still open.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
