An Open Letter to the SCGOP

UPDATE: A chart has been added to this letter to reflect the updated ReOrg sites and dates.

An open letter to the South Carolina Republican Party,

We submit this formal protest regarding the State Party’s voter suppression tactics against Pickens County. Many of the known venues and times for the upcoming reorganization are materially inadequate and difficult for the potential delegate and alternate allotments of the precincts assigned to each site. These multiple venues and schedules have resulted in confusion, exclusion of eligible participants, and unequal access among precincts — burdens that confirm the harm and undermine confidence in party procedures.

In addition to the venue and schedule issues, the SCGOP has refused to publish a full schedule of precinct meetings in the county and has alerted only a select few to the meetings in their precincts.

Pickens County Republicans have demonstrated extraordinary grassroots commitment to conservative principles and the America First agenda. They deserve a fair, transparent, and accessible process that reflects those values—not one that discourages participation or erodes trust in Party leadership.

1. Inadequate Venues and Capacity Issues

The facilities selected for Pickens County are materially insufficient for the known and reasonably foreseeable participation levels of our delegates and alternates. These deficiencies have led to exclusion of eligible participants, unequal access among precincts, and inequitable treatment compared to other counties.

November 13 – Hagood Center, Jack Black Room (capacity 40) – potential 170 delegates and alternates – Over capacity by 130+

November 17 – 775 Saco Lowell Rd (approx. 1,970 sq. ft.) - potential 52 delegates and alternates – Facility size insufficient for expected attendance when applying standard occupancy calculations; site also lacks public accessibility and transparency

November 18 – Central Library (capacity 50) – 5:30 session potential 92, 6:30 session potential 46 – Dual sessions create inequity, insufficient space

November 18 – Easley Library (capacity 50) – potential 66 delegates and alternates – Over capacity

Figures above exclude reorganization staff, volunteers or observers.

These sites were selected despite the potential turnout from one of South Carolina’s most active Republican counties. Ironically, the same types of logistical issues were cited by the State Party as justification for forcing Pickens to redo its reorganization—yet the State is now replicating those very conditions.

2. Excessive Travel Burdens and Scheduling Conflicts

Pickens County is geographically large and predominantly rural. Some members of the largest precinct—Holly Springs—must travel approximately 26 miles (about 40 minutes each way) to reach its assigned reorganization site outside of the Holly Springs precinct. Holding sessions at 5:30 p.m. is particularly unreasonable for a blue-collar, working-class county, where many citizens are only ending their workday and/or returning home from work at that time or have responsibilities regarding their children’s activities.

These logistical and timing decisions create an undue burden on participation and effectively disenfranchise those who wish to be involved but cannot feasibly attend due to work and travel constraints.

3. No Access to the Full County Schedule

At this time, no comprehensive county reorganization schedule has been made publicly available. Citizens have only received information regarding their individual precinct meeting—if at all. In rural communities like Pickens, residents rely heavily on local networks and trusted individuals to coordinate and share such information. Without full transparency, these connections cannot function, resulting in confusion and suppressed participation.

Additionally, some citizens have reported they have not received any email or official notice regarding their reorganization information. This omission directly contradicts the principle of equal access and notice owed to every registered Republican within the county.

Further, when citizens have called the State Party office seeking information, they have been asked to provide their name and contact information for a call back, rather than receiving the requested details directly. This approach has made the process unnecessarily confusing, time-consuming, and discouraging for many voters attempting to participate in good faith.

4. Unequal Notification and Double Standard

It has also come to light that notices for this reorganization redo were sent only to individuals who participated in the unqualified March 2025 process, the very process that the State Party ruled invalid. This is a clear double standard.

In March, Pickens was accused of limiting participation, yet the State Party has now taken action that has the same or greater effect, excluding many Republicans who were not involved in the prior process but wish to participate now.

5. Ongoing Pattern of Unfair Treatment

Since May 3rd, Pickens County has been denied due process and treated inconsistently with other counties. The current reorganization redo continues that pattern through lack of transparency, fairness, and cooperation.

Requested Action

I respectfully request that the South Carolina Republican Party:

Re-evaluate and reassign venues to ensure adequate capacity, accessibility, and neutrality.

Publish a full, countywide schedule immediately to allow fair notice and participation.

Ensure equal treatment and procedural integrity consistent with other counties in the state.

Work with the local Pickens volunteers to ensure the process is effective and convenient as possible.

The South Carolina Republican Party is entrusted with administering the Republican primaries in our state. Is this an example of how those primaries are run—and why South Carolina is often called the bluest red state in the country? The reorg notices have been sent to select individuals, creating confusion and chaos throughout the process. Convention information was even distributed before reorganization information, seemingly to intentionally confuse and discourage participation.

Our country, and our Party, are better than this. Is this what we are willing to accept as the norm within the Republican Party? This is not merely disorganization—it is voter suppression by design, silencing the voices of grassroots conservatives who have worked tirelessly to uphold Republican principles. The last line of the South Carolina Republican Creed declares: “I am a free American.” Free Americans do not condone underhanded methods, restricted access, or selective transparency.

It is time for fairness, openness, and accountability to return to the South Carolina Republican Party.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy Davis, Candidate for PCRP Chairman

Rhonda Billingsley, Candidate for PCRP EC

Christy Wistar, Candidate for PCRP 1st Vice Chairman

Darlene Georgeiades, Candidate for PCRP 2nd Vice Chairman

Lauren Boyd, Candidate for PCRP Secretary

Melissa Black, Candidate for PCRP Treasurer

Julie Baker, Chair, Congressional District 3, SCGOP

Tim Bruce, Former Chair, PCRP 21-23