Ballot access dispute between Charleston County sheriff candidate and South Carolina Democratic Party heads to court

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- A dispute over whether a candidate for Charleston County sheriff should appear on the Democratic Party’s primary ballot will head to court Friday.

Former Lt. Alan Ali, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for sheriff, is suing the South Carolina Democratic Party over a decision to block him from the June primary ballot.

SCDP Chair Christale Spain declined to certify Ali for the Democratic primary after citing concerns over his “allegiance” to the party and its values. Questions over his residency were also part of the decision.

Ali rejected that reasoning during a press conference last week and claimed the party’s decision was motivated by “individual bias” against him and “hidden agendas.”

“The SCDP’s role in deciding whose name is placed on the primary ballot is merely ministerial in that the party has a “gatekeeping” role in ensuring that the candidates it puts forth are qualified pursuant to the relevant statutes and our Constitution,” the lawsuit stated.

The longtime CCSO employee is now asking a judge to reinstate him on the ballot — and quickly — as the deadline for the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Election (BVRE) to finalize and send absentee ballots for overseas military members approaches.

Ali is running against incumbent Sheriff Kristin Graziano. They are the only two candidates who filed as Democrats for the upcoming race.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Charleston County Courthouse. It is unclear whether the judge will issue a ruling during the hearing.