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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 12:42 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Palmetto-Girls-State-01

The Palmetto Boys’ State Program sponsored by the American Legion Department of South Carolina was held on the campus of Anderson University, June 9-15, 2013.

The Palmetto Girls’ State Program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of South Carolina was held on the campus of Presbyterian College, June 9-15, 2013.

The boys are called citizens of Boys’ State and reside in cities and counties. The governmental organization of Palmetto Boys’ State consists of one state, six counties, nineteen cities, six judicial circuits and nineteen election precincts.

The six counties are named for six prominent South Carolinians: Calhoun, Hampton, Marion, Moultrie, Pickens and Rutledge. The nineteen cities are given the names of rivers in South Carolina. The cities of Palmetto Boys’ State are organized under the Mayor-Council type of government. The Mayor and Councilman are chosen by direct popular election in each city.

There are two political parties in Palmetto Boys’ State, The ‘Federalist’ and the ‘Nationalist.’

Late Sunday night, the Boys’ State citizens met by political party and held caucuses to pick candidates that will run in the city election. Monday morning after breakfast, speeches were held for city elections and later that day they were completed.

Tuesday was “County Government” Day. The two parties held caucuses and chose candidates to run for all of the different county government offices. The results of the county elections were announced Tuesday night.

Wednesday is “State Government” Day. The two Parties conducted party conventions. Candidates were chosen and elections held for the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House members who have been elected elect the Supreme Court Justices and the Senate members also elect Supreme Court Justices.

Thursday was “Political Rally” Day. The Party candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor met with citizens for a question and answer period.

Friday was “Inauguration” Day. Wake-up time was 6 a.m. Citizens of three counties voted before going to breakfast and citizens of the other three counties voted after breakfast.

All Palmetto Boys’ State citizens boarded buses that took them to Columbia, arriving approximately at 10:15. They then proceeded to the parade area.

All Palmetto Girls’ State citizens also boarded buses that took them to Columbia. After arrival, they also proceeded to the parade area.

The Palmetto Boys’ and Girls’ State citizens, some carrying banners that were made during the week, walked together down Main Street to the State House.

The citizens who were elected to state offices were escorted to the lobby area of the State House, where they met the duly-elected officials whose office they would represent.

The procession of the State of South Carolina duly-elected Constitutional officers was followed by their newly-elected Palmetto Boys’ and Girls’ State elected officers.

The oath of office was administered to all Constitutional officers except the Governors by the Boys’ and Girls’ State Chief Justices.

The Honorable Jean Toal, Chief Justice of South Carolina Supreme Court, administered the oath of office to the newly-elected Governors of Palmetto Boys’ State and Palmetto Girls’ State.

The Honorable Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina, was the special speaker.

Saturday was “Graduation” Day for both Palmetto Boys’ State and Palmetto Girls’ State citizens.

Campbell Plumblee, St. Joseph High School, was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Palmetto Girls’ State Supreme Court.

More than nine hundred boys and more than six hundred girls attended the Palmetto Boys’ State and Girls’ State program this year.

 

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