Columbia, South Carolina, September 24, 2025
News Summary
The South Carolina State Election Commission has terminated Deputy Director Paige Salonich for unauthorized use of a recording device and unprofessional conduct. Salonich’s actions raised concerns about workplace integrity. The termination follows an ongoing investigation by the SLED into misconduct involving both her and the former agency director, Howard Knapp. This incident adds to the turmoil within the commission as it faces scrutiny over a request for personal voter information from federal authorities.
Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina State Election Commission has terminated the employment of its Deputy Director, Paige Salonich, effective Tuesday. Salonich was dismissed for a series of offenses, including the unauthorized placement of a recording device in the Election Commission training room. This hidden device was identified as a voice-activated digital recorder, which was uncovered during an investigation conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
A termination letter cited the presence of the recording device on agency security cameras as key evidence against Salonich. At the time of her termination, she held a salary of $141,788 per year. Additionally, the letter outlined other inappropriate conduct by Salonich, which included raising her voice and using unprofessional language towards employees, creating a hostile work environment. An investigation by the Commission’s Human Resources department corroborated these allegations.
On Monday, Salonich attempted to resign from her position; however, the commission rejected her resignation and proceeded with the termination. The Commission’s board had already initiated a SLED investigation into Salonich, as well as the former agency director, Howard Knapp, who was fired the week prior for undisclosed reasons.
As part of the ongoing investigation prompted by the Attorney General’s office in March 2024, SLED is examining allegations of misconduct associated with both Knapp and Salonich. Knapp’s tenure began in 2022 and was confirmed by the state Senate in 2023.
Salonich’s actions have raised significant concerns regarding trust, confidentiality, and workplace integrity within the Election Commission. In light of recent controversies, the Commission is also under scrutiny for a request from the U.S. Justice Department seeking voter information, including personal identification details from the state’s 3.3 million voters.
Background Context
The termination of Paige Salonich comes during a tumultuous time for the South Carolina State Election Commission, which has been dealing with a leadership shakeup and ongoing investigations into the conduct of its top officials. The concerns regarding improper conduct highlight deeper issues within the organization that help oversee elections in South Carolina, an essential function in maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.
Overview of Key Events
- Termination of Paige Salonich effective Tuesday.
- Discovery of an unauthorized voice-activated digital recording device.
- Evidence from agency security cameras supports the investigation.
- Salonich’s salary was $141,788 at the time of termination.
- Other misconduct included creating an unprofessional environment.
- Howard Knapp, former agency director, was fired the previous week.
- Ongoing SLED investigation initiated by the Attorney General’s office.
Implications for the Election Commission
The fallout from these events raises serious implications for the South Carolina State Election Commission’s reputation and operational integrity. The dual investigations could impact public confidence in the agency’s ability to conduct fair and impartial elections. The requests for voter data from federal authorities also suggest increasing scrutiny on how the agency handles personal information in the wake of these allegations.
FAQ Section
Why was Paige Salonich terminated?
Salonich was terminated for various offenses including placing an unauthorized recording device in the Election Commission training room, creating an unprofessional environment, and raising her voice while using inappropriate language towards employees.
What was the nature of the recording device found?
The recording device was identified as a voice-activated digital recorder, which was discovered during an investigation conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
What were the circumstances surrounding Howard Knapp’s firing?
Howard Knapp was fired the previous week for undisclosed reasons, and both he and Salonich are currently under investigation regarding allegations of misconduct.
What is the status of the investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division?
SLED has confirmed that an ongoing investigation is in place regarding allegations of misconduct involving both Paige Salonich and Howard Knapp, initiated by the Attorney General’s office in March 2024.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Employee Terminated | Paige Salonich |
| Salary | $141,788 per year |
| Reason for Termination | Unauthorized recording device and misconduct |
| Investigative Body | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) |
| Former Director Terminated | Howard Knapp |
| Ongoing Investigations | Misconduct allegations against Salonich and Knapp |
| Voter Information Request | From U.S. Justice Department |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Election Official Fired Amid Investigation
Additional Resources
- Goupstate: Spartanburg’s Next Sheriff Candidates
- Democracy Docket: North Carolina Judge Rejects GOP Bid
- Fits News: Investigation into South Carolina Elections Director
- Charlotte Observer: North Carolina Politics
- Talking Points Memo: North Carolina Appeals Court Decision
- Wikipedia: South Carolina State Election Commission
- Google Search: South Carolina Elections Integrity
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Election Commission Investigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Google News: South Carolina Election Commission
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