One of the Democratic candidates for Charleston County sheriff has been excluded from the primary ballot, as per the recent decision made by the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP).
Former Lt. Alan Ali of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has officially entered the race for Charleston County Sheriff as a Democrat. He will be running against the incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano.
In a letter dated March 5, the Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP), Christale Spain, expressed her decision not to certify Ali for the June primary to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) Director.
According to Spain’s statement, she has decided not to certify Alan Ali for the ballot in the primary election on June 11, 2024. This decision is based on concerns about his support and loyalty to the Democratic Party and its values.
According to Rule 11, the SCDP Chair, in collaboration with the SCDP Executive Council, has the authority to withhold certification from a candidate who has shown a deliberate intention to deceive voters and party officials about their support for the Democratic Party and its principles.
Any Democrat registered to vote in South Carolina has the right to challenge the qualifications of any candidate who has filed to run as a Democrat, according to the rules.
Ali faced a challenge to his residency in Dorchester County, as it was claimed that he did not meet the requirement of residing in the county for a minimum of one year before the election. South Carolina law mandates that a candidate for sheriff must fulfill this residency criterion.
Ali registered to vote in Charleston County on October 20, 2023, around seven months prior to the primary and over a year before the general election. According to his official filing form, he provided a North Charleston address.
According to county property tax records, Ali opted to pay the residential tax rate of 4% on his property in Dorchester County for the year 2023, instead of the non-residential rate of 6%.
“It’s quite intriguing that Mr. Ali has decided to pursue the highest law enforcement position in Charleston County, yet he appears to be evading certain laws in order to achieve his goal,” remarked Trav Robertson, former Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP). Currently, Robertson is offering his expertise as a volunteer advisor to various Democratic campaigns throughout the state, including Graziano’s.”
“He either misrepresented himself to the taxing authority in Dorchester, where he claimed a 4% residency rate, or he misrepresented himself to the Charleston voter registration and election board,” he continued.
According to reports, the challenge was reviewed by the Executive Council last week. It is said that the information uncovered during that meeting ultimately influenced the decision not to certify Ali’s candidacy.
Spain expressed her concerns about Mr. Ali’s intentions during the meeting last week. She noted that his exploration of running for sheriff as a Republican in Dorchester County, where he owns a residence, raised a significant red flag for her. Spain interpreted this as Mr. Ali potentially “party shopping,” which was a cause for concern.
In a statement to News 2, Ali’s attorney, Mark Peper, dismissed the allegations that Ali lacks the necessary qualifications.
According to Peper, Mr. Ali fulfills all the necessary constitutional and statutory requirements to be eligible for the position of Charleston County Sheriff. He believes that the Democratic Party’s decision to not certify him as a candidate is an attempt to suppress voters and safeguard the incumbent party member. Peper expresses his concern by stating that this action goes against the principles of democracy that the founding fathers fought for.
Isaac Cramer, the Director of Charleston County BVRE, emphasized that the certification process is solely under the control of the political parties. He also confirmed that candidates who do not receive certification will not be listed on the primary election ballots.
Ali will address the party’s decision in a press conference scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. The press conference will take place at the Al Cannon Detention Center. In an interview with News 2, Ali confirmed his intention to remain in the race.
A judge will now have the authority to reinstate Ali on the ballot, according to officials.
