I’m hearing the South Carolina Democratic Party is dropping the requirement of a pledge of loyalty from their primary and that it will be officially announced soon.

UPDATE: The SCDP news release is below. Wyeth Ruthven had it first. Other loyalty oath news is included with the rest of today’s S.C. Primary News.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY RECEIVES CLEARANCE TO PULL PLEDGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Nu Wexler (803) 917-7858
Monday, February 01, 2004

DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS, AND REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TO VOTE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ARE WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS

COLUMBIA – South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Joe Erwin announced today that he received clearance from the National Democratic Party to pull the voter pledge in the South Carolina Democratic Party.

“Excitement is building for the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary and hundreds of thousands of South Carolina voters want to take part. We at the South Carolina Democratic Party have heard their voices and today we are acting to send a message that they know they are welcome in our primary,” said State Party Chair Joe Erwin.

The pledge, which has been part of South Carolina Democratic elections since 1976, was put into place to ensure voters didn’t vote in more than one primary on the same day. Chairman Erwin said he contacted National Party leaders and was granted permission to proceed without the pledge.

“With all the excitement and intense competition about the primary building out there in the community, we were receiving information that some people who do not want to see our Primary succeed were spreading confusion about the pledge to try to depress turnout and confuse voters. Although the purpose of this pledge was always to just ensure people didn’t vote in more than one Presidential Primary, we thought it best with all the excitement to work with the National party to see if we could meet their standards without it,” said Erwin. “The national party was very supportive of our efforts. They understand that voters from the across the country are turning to Democrats and Democratic candidates for leadership and a vision for a better future for us all.”

Erwin said that he informed the Presidential campaigns today about the decision to go forward in Tuesday’s primary without the pledge by telephone conference call. The Party is also alerting poll workers and County chairman about the decision to not use the pledge on Primary Day.

“Our Democratic candidates for President have campaigned hard here in South Carolina and made our state and our country proud with their visionary leadership and positive policies to grow our economy and create jobs,” said Erwin. “It is no wonder that Democrats, Independents, and disaffected Republicans want to vote in the Democratic Primary. They are welcome with open arms. And now there is nothing to discourage South Carolina voters from participating.”

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