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To qualify for Governor of South Carolina, a candidate must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state for at least three years prior to the election.
Answer: False
The constitutional qualifications for the governorship stipulate that a candidate must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of South Carolina for a minimum of five years immediately preceding the election day.
The South Carolina Constitution requires candidates for governor to affirm belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, a requirement upheld by the Supreme Court.
Answer: False
While the South Carolina Constitution contains a clause requiring candidates for governor to affirm belief in the existence of a Supreme Being, this provision is considered of highly doubtful validity. The U.S. Supreme Court's 1961 decision in <i>Torcaso v. Watkins</i> established that such religious tests for public office violate the Fourteenth Amendment.
A governor in South Carolina serves a four-year term and is limited to serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Answer: True
The Governor of South Carolina serves a four-year term and is constitutionally limited to serving no more than two consecutive terms. There is no restriction on the total number of terms a person may serve if they are non-consecutive.
Olin D. Johnston was the last governor of South Carolina to serve non-consecutive terms.
Answer: True
Olin D. Johnston concluded his service in office in 1945, and later served again, marking him as the last governor of South Carolina to serve terms that were not consecutive.
From 1926 to 1978, South Carolina governors could serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.
Answer: False
From 1926 to 1978, South Carolina governors were limited to serving only one four-year term, with no possibility of consecutive reelection. The allowance for two consecutive terms was established later, beginning in 1980.
Which of the following is NOT a constitutional requirement to hold the office of Governor of South Carolina?
Answer: Must have served at least one term as Lieutenant Governor.
The constitutional requirements for governor include age (at least 30), U.S. citizenship, and state residency (five years prior to election). There is no requirement to have previously served as Lieutenant Governor.
What is the term length for the Governor of South Carolina?
Answer: Four years
The Governor of South Carolina serves a four-year term, as established by the state constitution.
How many consecutive terms can a Governor of South Carolina serve?
Answer: Two consecutive terms
The South Carolina Constitution limits a governor to serving a maximum of two consecutive terms. Non-consecutive terms are permissible.
What change in term limits occurred in South Carolina starting in 1980?
Answer: Governors could serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.
Beginning in 1980, the term limits for the Governor of South Carolina were revised to allow for service of up to two consecutive four-year terms.
How did the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in <i>Torcaso v. Watkins</i> affect the 'religious test' requirement for South Carolina governors?
Answer: It declared the requirement unconstitutional, rendering it invalid.
The Supreme Court's decision in <i>Torcaso v. Watkins</i> (1961) ruled that religious tests for public office violate the Fourteenth Amendment, thereby invalidating the 'belief in a Supreme Being' requirement for South Carolina governors, despite its continued presence in the state constitution.
The Governor of South Carolina is primarily responsible for enforcing state laws and delivering the annual 'State of the State' address.
Answer: True
The Governor of South Carolina holds significant executive responsibilities, including the primary duty of enforcing state laws. Furthermore, the delivery of the annual 'State of the State' address is a key function, through which the Governor communicates the condition of the state and outlines legislative priorities to the General Assembly.
The Governor of South Carolina holds 'supreme executive authority' and can appoint directors to all 14 cabinet agencies without legislative approval.
Answer: False
While the Governor holds 'supreme executive authority,' the appointment of directors to the 14 cabinet agencies typically requires shared approval from the General Assembly, indicating a check on unilateral appointment power.
The Governor of South Carolina can veto bills passed by the General Assembly, but cannot use a line-item veto.
Answer: False
The Governor of South Carolina possesses the power to veto bills passed by the General Assembly, and this authority includes the use of a line-item veto, allowing for the rejection of specific provisions within a bill.
During a declared state of emergency, the Governor of South Carolina can close public schools and government offices.
Answer: True
In situations requiring a state of emergency, the Governor of South Carolina is empowered to take measures to ensure public safety, which includes the authority to close public schools and government offices.
The Governor is not required to submit a budget proposal to the General Assembly, as this responsibility falls solely on the legislature.
Answer: False
The Governor of South Carolina is constitutionally mandated to submit an executive budget proposal to the General Assembly, typically at the beginning of each legislative session.
The Governor of South Carolina can appoint individuals to fill vacancies in the U.S. Senate, and these appointees serve indefinitely.
Answer: False
The Governor of South Carolina can appoint individuals to fill vacancies in the U.S. Senate, but these appointees serve only until the next general election, not indefinitely.
The Governor of South Carolina can remove elected school board officials for reasons such as chronic unexcused absenteeism or conflicts of interest.
Answer: True
The Governor possesses the authority to remove elected school board officials under specific conditions, including malfeasance, misfeasance, chronic unexcused absenteeism, conflicts of interest, or persistent neglect of duty.
What is the primary function of the Governor of South Carolina?
Answer: Act as the head of government, enforce laws, and present an executive budget.
The Governor of South Carolina serves as the head of state government, with key responsibilities including the enforcement of laws, the presentation of an executive budget to the General Assembly, and the delivery of the 'State of the State' address.
What power does the Governor of South Carolina possess regarding the state's National Guard?
Answer: The Governor serves as the <i>ex officio</i> commander-in-chief when the Guard is not under federal service.
The Governor of South Carolina serves as the <i>ex officio</i> commander-in-chief of the South Carolina National Guard and the State Guard when they are not in federal service.
What authority does the Governor have during a declared state of emergency?
Answer: The power to close public schools and government offices.
During a declared state of emergency, the Governor of South Carolina is authorized to take necessary actions to protect the public, including the closure of public schools and government offices.
The Governor of South Carolina has the power to commute death sentences, but the power to grant reprieves and pardons generally resides with:
Answer: A seven-member board.
While the Governor can commute death sentences, the authority to grant reprieves and pardons in South Carolina generally rests with a seven-member board.
Who appoints directors to South Carolina's 14 cabinet agencies?
Answer: The Governor, but most require approval from the General Assembly.
The Governor of South Carolina appoints directors to the state's 14 cabinet agencies; however, the majority of these appointments require confirmation or approval from the General Assembly.
Which of the following is NOT a ground for the Governor to remove elected school board officials?
Answer: Disagreement with the Governor's policies
The Governor can remove school board officials for specific causes such as malfeasance, absenteeism, or incapacity, but not for policy disagreements.
What is the purpose of the 'State of the State' address?
Answer: To inform the General Assembly about the state's condition and legislative priorities.
The 'State of the State' address is a formal communication from the Governor to the General Assembly, detailing the condition of South Carolina and outlining the administration's legislative agenda and priorities.
Which of the following best describes the Governor's veto power?
Answer: The Governor can use a line-item veto to reject specific provisions within a bill.
The Governor of South Carolina possesses significant legislative influence through veto powers, including the ability to exercise a line-item veto, which permits the rejection of specific items within a bill rather than the entire measure.
Ten governors have resigned from office in South Carolina since 1776, and four have died while in office.
Answer: True
Historical records indicate that ten governors have resigned from office in South Carolina since 1776, and four have died while serving their terms. No governor has been impeached and removed, though one was forcibly removed by military authority.
During South Carolina's proprietary period (1670-1719), governors were elected by popular vote.
Answer: False
During South Carolina's proprietary period (1670-1719), governors were appointed by the Lords Proprietors, not elected by popular vote.
Governors during South Carolina's Royal period (1719-1776) were appointed by the British monarch and served at His Majesty's pleasure.
Answer: True
During the Royal period of South Carolina's history (1719-1776), governors were appointed by the British monarch and held office at His Majesty's pleasure, without a fixed term.
Between 1776 and 1779, the chief executive of South Carolina was titled 'Governor' and was elected by the General Assembly.
Answer: False
Between 1776 and 1779, the chief executive of South Carolina was titled 'President of South Carolina' and was elected by the General Assembly. The title 'Governor' was adopted later.
The Constitution of 1790 established a two-year term for governors and prohibited them from serving more than two consecutive terms.
Answer: False
The Constitution of 1790 established a two-year term for the governor. However, it prohibited governors from serving more than one consecutive term, a restriction that persisted until later constitutional revisions.
Following the Civil War, the Constitution of 1868 allowed governors to be elected to two consecutive terms and permitted all male citizens over 21 to vote.
Answer: True
The Constitution of 1868, adopted after the Civil War, established a system where governors could be elected to two consecutive terms and extended suffrage to all male citizens over 21 years of age, regardless of race.
The Constitution of 1895 expanded the governor's powers by granting the line-item veto but also introduced measures that disenfranchised Black citizens.
Answer: True
The Constitution of 1895 significantly altered South Carolina's political landscape by expanding the governor's powers, notably through the introduction of the line-item veto, while simultaneously enacting measures such as poll taxes and literacy tests that disenfranchised Black citizens.
Which historical period saw the chief executive titled 'President of South Carolina'?
Answer: Between 1776 and 1779, under the Articles of Confederation framework
During the period between 1776 and 1779, following the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, the chief executive of South Carolina held the title 'President of South Carolina'.
What historical change occurred regarding the governorship after the Civil War and the adoption of the Constitution of 1868?
Answer: Governors were popularly elected and allowed two consecutive terms.
Following the Civil War and the implementation of the Constitution of 1868, the governorship transitioned to popular election, with governors permitted to serve up to two consecutive terms.
Who was the chief executive of South Carolina between 1776 and 1779?
Answer: The President of South Carolina
Between 1776 and 1779, the chief executive of South Carolina was titled 'President of South Carolina' and was elected by the General Assembly.
The Governor of South Carolina is an <i>ex officio</i> member of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority.
Answer: True
The Governor of South Carolina serves as an <i>ex officio</i> member of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, meaning this position is held automatically by virtue of being governor.
The Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives is first in the line of succession if the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are unable to serve.
Answer: False
The Lieutenant Governor is first in the line of succession to the governorship. Following the Lieutenant Governor, the President of the South Carolina Senate and then the Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives are next in line.
The Lieutenant Governor can only assume the powers of the Governor if the Governor resigns or is permanently removed from office.
Answer: False
The Lieutenant Governor assumes the powers of the Governor not only upon resignation or permanent removal but also in cases of the Governor's temporary disability or absence from the state.
The oath of office for the Governor of South Carolina includes a pledge to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitutions of the State and the United States.
Answer: True
The oath of office administered to the Governor of South Carolina explicitly includes a solemn pledge to preserve, protect, and defend both the Constitution of South Carolina and the Constitution of the United States.
The Governor's Mansion in Columbia was built after the Civil War and has always been the official residence.
Answer: False
The Governor's Mansion was constructed in 1855, prior to the Civil War, as faculty quarters for The Arsenal Academy. It became the official residence of the governor in 1868, after surviving the war's destruction.
The South Carolina Constitution requires the governor to reside in the state capital, Columbia.
Answer: True
Article IV, Section 20 of the South Carolina Constitution mandates that the governor must reside in the location where the General Assembly convenes, which is currently Columbia, the state capital.
As of 2022, the Governor of South Carolina earned an annual salary of $150,000.
Answer: False
As of 2022, the annual salary for the Governor of South Carolina was reported as $106,078, not $150,000.
The official style of address for the Governor of South Carolina is 'Your Excellency'.
Answer: False
The official style of address for the Governor of South Carolina is 'His Excellency'.
The Governor serves as the <i>ex officio</i> chair of the board of trustees for all state universities.
Answer: True
The Governor of South Carolina automatically holds the position of <i>ex officio</i> chair of the boards of trustees for all state universities by virtue of their office.
Who is first in the line of succession to the governorship of South Carolina?
Answer: The Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor is constitutionally designated as the first in the line of succession to assume the powers and duties of the Governor.
What is the Governor's role within the State Fiscal Accountability Authority?
Answer: The Governor serves as the <i>ex officio</i> chair of the authority.
The Governor of South Carolina serves as the <i>ex officio</i> chair of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, a board responsible for overseeing state finances and property.
Where is the official residence of the Governor of South Carolina located?
Answer: Columbia, on Arsenal Hill
The official residence of the Governor of South Carolina, known as the Governor's Mansion, is located in Columbia, South Carolina, situated on Arsenal Hill.
What constitutional mandate requires the Governor to reside in Columbia?
Answer: Article IV, Section 20 of the state constitution.
Article IV, Section 20 of the South Carolina Constitution mandates that the governor must reside in the location where the General Assembly convenes, which is Columbia.
What was the annual salary of the Governor of South Carolina as of 2022?
Answer: $106,078
As of 2022, the annual salary for the Governor of South Carolina was $106,078.
What is the significance of the term '<i>ex officio</i>' in relation to the Governor's role?
Answer: It indicates a position held automatically by virtue of being Governor.
The term '<i>ex officio</i>' signifies that an individual holds a particular position or membership automatically due to their holding another office, in this case, the governorship.
What historical event led to the Governor's Mansion being the only structure to survive destruction on Arsenal Hill?
Answer: General Sherman's burning of The Arsenal Academy during the Civil War.
During General Sherman's occupation and subsequent burning of The Arsenal Academy in Columbia during the Civil War, the building that would become the Governor's Mansion was the sole structure on Arsenal Hill to survive the destruction.
Henry McMaster assumed the governorship of South Carolina after being elected in a statewide general election.
Answer: False
Henry McMaster assumed the governorship on January 24, 2017, succeeding Nikki Haley upon her resignation. He subsequently won election in his own right, but his initial assumption of office was due to succession, not a direct election to that specific term.
Who is the current Governor of South Carolina, and when did they take office?
Answer: Henry McMaster, January 24, 2017
The current Governor of South Carolina is Henry McMaster, who assumed office on January 24, 2017, following the resignation of Governor Nikki Haley.