COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — The South Carolina Election Commission has dismissed its deputy director after an investigation into misconduct allegations, leading to the agency’s second firing within a week.
Paige Salonich was let go on Sept. 18 for breaching several policies, including using improper language with colleagues and placing an “unauthorized device” in a meeting room, as detailed in a Sept. 22 separation notice procured by News 2.
The Human Resources inquiry found that Salonich “intentionally used offensive and abusive language” and raised her voice during a Sept. 17 tantrum, causing “employees to feel uneasy, fostering an unprofessional atmosphere, and hampering the Commission’s ability to function smoothly and with respect,” according to the notice.
Allegations state Salonich was captured on agency security footage placing an unauthorized device in a meeting room that day. Officials have not clarified the nature of the device, but unnamed sources informed The State it was a voice-activated recording device.
“This action represents the misuse and unauthorized application of state assets, bringing up serious concerns about trust, confidentiality, and workplace ethics,” noted the notice.
The firing is the latest development in a leadership shakeup happening among the state’s top election officials.
Howard Knapp was removed from his position as executive director on Sept. 18, as Chairman Dennis Shedd previously explained, due to a “need for new leadership.”
That decision came as the election commission faced pressure from the Justice Department to release its voter rolls, which contain sensitive information, including driver’s license numbers and Social Security numbers.
A Calhoun County woman sued to stop the release in early September, citing concerns about her privacy.
A Circuit Court judge initially blocked the agency from handing over the data of the state’s approximately 3.3 million registered voters, but the state Supreme Court reversed the decision shortly after.
With South Carolina scheduled to hold municipal elections in November, a spokesperson for the commission said these personnel matters would not impact the agency’s ability to administer future elections.
“We remain fully focused on ensuring fair and secure elections for South Carolina voters,” the spokesperson continued.
This story is developing and may be updated.
