South Carolina Democratic Party refuses to certify Charleston County sheriff candidate for primary ballot
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)- One of the Democratic candidates for Charleston County sheriff will not appear on the primary ballot following a recent decision by the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP).
Former Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Alan Ali filed to run as a Democrat in the Charleston County Sheriff’s race, challenging incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano.
However, in a March 5 letter to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) Director, SCDP Chair Christale Spain said she would not certify Ali for the June primary.
“I am not certifying Alan Ali for the ballot for the primary election on June 11, 2024, pursuant to South Carolina Democratic Party Rule 11 because there is a question about his support and allegiance to the Democratic Party and the Party’s values,” Spain wrote.
Rule 11 states that the SCDP Chair in consultation with the SCDP Executive Council, which is responsible for advising the chair on the certification of candidates, can decide not to certify a candidate who, in part, “has demonstrated intent to mislead voters and party officials regarding that candidate’s support and allegiance to the Democratic Party and the Party’s values.”
The rules also state that any Democrat registered to vote in South Carolina can challenge the qualifications of any candidate who has filed to run as a Democrat.
In this case, there was a challenge to Ali’s residency in which it was alleged he resided in Dorchester County. Under South Carolina law, a candidate for sheriff must be a resident of the county for at least one year before the election.
Officials said that Ali registered to vote in Charleston County on October 20, 2023, about seven months before the primary and more than a year before the general election. His official filing form lists a North Charleston address.
County property tax records show that Ali continued to pay the 4% residential tax rate on his Dorchester County property in 2023, instead of the 6% non-residential rate.
“It’s interesting that Mr. Ali chose to run for the top law enforcement job in Charleston County but seems to be skirting laws in order to get there,” ex-SCDP Chair Trav Robertson said. Robertson now serves as a volunteer advisor to several Democratic campaigns across the state, including Graziano’s.
“He either misrepresented himself to the taxing authority in Dorchester where he claims a 4% residency rate or he misrepresented himself to the Charleston voter registration and election board,” he continued.
The Executive Council reportedly reviewed the challenge last week. Spain said information discovered during that meeting ultimately led to the decision not to certify Ali’s candidacy.
“Mr. Ali made it clear during the meeting last week that he explored running for sheriff as a Republican in Dorchester County where he owns his residence so that was a huge flag for me,” Spain said. “It said to me that Mr. Ali was party shopping.”
Ali’s attorney, Mark Peper, refuted claims that Ali is not qualified in a statement to News 2.
“Mr. Ali clearly meets all the constitutional and statutory qualifications to run for Charleston County Sheriff,” Peper said. “The Democratic Party’s refusal to certify him as a candidate is nothing more than a unilateral attempt to silence voters and protect the party incumbent. Undoubtedly, the founding fathers of democracy are rolling over in their graves today.”
Charleston County BVRE Director Isaac Cramer said the certification process is the “prerogative of the respective political parties” and confirmed that candidates who are not certified will not be included on primary election ballots.
Ali is expected to address the party’s decision during a 10 a.m. press conference on Tuesday at the Al Cannon Detention Center. He told News 2 that he intends to stay in the race.
Officials said it will now be up to a judge to reinstate Ali on the ballot.
