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PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 34, ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTING LOCAL OR SPECIAL LAWS, SO AS TO ALLOW A COUNTY BY ORDINANCE, BY A VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF A COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION OR A PETITION SIGNED BY FIVE PERCENT OF A COUNTY'S REGISTERED ELECTORS, SUBJECT TO A FAVORABLE REFERENDUM, TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OR POSSESSION OF ANY TYPE OF COIN-OPERATED AMUSEMENT OR GAMING MACHINE OR DEVICE IN THAT COUNTY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 34, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding a new item VIII immediately after item VII to read:
"VIII. To allow a county by ordinance, by a vote of a majority of a county's legislative delegation or a petition signed by five percent of a county's registered electors, subject to the approval of the qualified electors of the county by majority vote in a regularly scheduled election, to authorize the operation or possession of any type of coin-operated amusement or gaming machine or device in that county. The provisions of item VIII are deemed not to be in violation of Article VIII, Section 14(5) of this Constitution."
SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:
"Must Section 34, Article III of the Constitution of this State be amended to allow a county by ordinance, by a vote of a majority of a county's legislative delegation or a petition signed by five percent of a county's registered electors, subject to the approval of the qualified electors of the county by majority vote in a regularly scheduled election, to authorize the operation or possession of any type of coin-operated amusement or gaming machine or device in that county?
Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."
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