COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina lawmaker is proposing an amendment to the state's constitution that would require anyone running for office to pass a "constitutional competency" test.
Sen. Josh Kimbrell, a Republican from Spartanburg, said too many candidates don't have a basic idea of how government works. That's why he's proposing a test to quiz candidates' knowledge of the South Carolina Constitution. The test would be designed, administered and graded by the University South Carolina's law school.
The measure must be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature. Assuming it passes, the proposal would then be placed on the ballot for voters to decide if it should be an eligibility requirement to run for office.
"If you're in a position of power where you're going to vote on laws that affect every single person in a state or country or the district you represent, then you ought to have basic civics knowledge when it comes to the constitutional structure of our state and country," Kimbrell told WCBD.
The senator said the test would be similar to what's already required of high school students under the REACH Act. South Carolina public high school students must pass a course that includes instruction on the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Federalist Papers.
Kimbrell said the proposal is popular with his constituents and he hopes it will lead to better leadership for South Carolina.
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