COLUMBIA — South Carolina Election Commission Chairman Dennis Shedd admitted Monday he did not read the agency’s 32-page budget request before signing off on it last year, despite the document including $32 million for new voting equipment — $4 million more than commissioners believed they had approved.
Shedd said he “probably didn’t even thumb through it” and blamed recently fired Executive Director Howard Knapp for failing to disclose the higher cost. The chairman had signed the budget beneath a statement confirming he reviewed and approved its accuracy. Knapp has not responded to requests for comment.
The commission, appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster, oversees election operations statewide. Shedd defended commissioners’ limited role, saying they rely on staff for financial details. “That’s not our job normally,” he told reporters.
The $28 million contract for ballot scanners and tabulators ballooned after Knapp reportedly added sales taxes and loan adjustments, raising the final cost above $33 million. Delays in state budget disbursements have added $140,000 in late fees, though the bank financing the purchase agreed to extend payment deadlines.
Shedd said he now regrets not examining the budget more closely but admitted he also did not review this year’s request line by line.
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