Opinion ID: 1292120
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Voter Alice Miles

Text: As noted above, the Eddie Butler, Jr. vote was improperly before the circuit court because it was not timely raised to Election Commission. For this reason alone, the testimony of voter Alice Miles concerning her vote for Eddie Butler, Jr. was not properly taken. However, even if this issue was timely raised to Election Commission, it would never be appropriate for the circuit court, functioning as an appellate court, to consider testimony de novo. Moreover, voter testimony of this kind would not even be admissible before an election commission. It is well settled that the ballots themselves constitute the highest and best evidence of the will of the electors. Redfearn v. Board of State Canvassers, 234 S.C. 113, 120, 107 S.E.2d 10, 14 (1959). Voter testimony is never admissible for the purpose of showing that the intention of the voter was in any way different from what plainly appears on the face of the ballot. 26 Am.Jur.2d Elections § 339. In this case, the write-in vote for Eddie Butler, Jr. was clear and unambiguous.