Rivers Says Petition Requirement Tough, But Enlightening

As the S.C. Supreme Court this spring, many launched the ambitious goal of appearing on the ballot as petition candidates.

So, instead of going door-to-door for a vote on primary day, these candidates were seeking signatures from at least 5 percent of the voters they're hoping to represent.

Candidates like Samuel Rivers Jr., who had for the new House District 15, were thrown off the ballot because state law requires that they file their campaign paperwork and statement of economic interest at the same time. Most filed the second form electronically.

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So Rivers hit the campaign trail, literally, walking neighborhoods in Hanahan, North Charleston and Pimlico to collect the 786 signatures necessary. Last week, he turned in 939 signatures. He's still awaiting final approval from the State Election Commission.

It wasn't easy. Near the end, Rivers and volunteers were fighting 100 degree temperatures as they went door-to-door.

There were some voters who refused — one man said, "Some people got it right, you didn't," referring to the filing requirement. "Sorry, buddy. Next time, read."

But Rivers said the entire process was a good learning experience.

"It never got me down," he said. "If you want something, you're going to have to work for it."

Not surprisingly, one of Rivers' priorities if elected will be to trim some of the regulation he's already encountered. Other than that, he's back to the issues that he'd hoped to address on the primary campaign trail.

"I'm looking forward to fighting to reduce government regulation, lowering taxes — especially industrial taxes — and education reform," Rivers said.

Marian Redish, who had filed in the Democratic Primary only to be similarly removed from the ballot, has also filed as a petition candidate.

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