Job description
The County Coroner or Medical Examiner is responsible for inquiring into the cause and manner of death of a citizen in their jurisdiction. The County Coroner or Medical Examiner is also responsible for completing test results, documenting evidence, completing autopsies, and providing testimonies.
Eligibility requirements
No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in the State unless he is registered to vote in the geographical area represented by the office (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1). A person convicted of a felony or an offense against the election laws is not qualified to file for or hold office, unless it has been fifteen years since the completion of the sentence for the crime or unless the person has been pardoned (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1). Candidate's qualifications for all offices, are determined at the time of the election and not at the time of filing or nomination. Some individuals may be restricted from running for public office by the federal Hatch Act. The Act applies to federal employees and others receiving federal funds and restricts their participation in campaigns for partisan offices. For detailed information regarding the Hatch Act, visit the website of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Candidates must be 21 years old, a US citizen and have been a resident of the county for at least 1 year immediately preceding the election. Candidates for coroner must also meet the following qualifications (S.C. Code of Laws 17-5-130): Must have a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the State Department of Education. Must not have been convicted of a felony offense or an offense involving moral turpitude contrary to the laws of this State, another state, or the United States. Must have one of the following combinations of education and experience: 3 years experience in death investigation with a law enforcement agency, coroner, or medical examiner agency; or 2 year associate degree and 2 years experience in death investigation with a law enforcement agency, coroner, or medical examiner agency; or 4 year baccalaureate degree and 1 year experience in death investigation with a law enforcement agency, coroner, or medical examiner agency; or be a law enforcement officer, as defined by S.C. Code of Laws 23-23-10(E)(1), certified by the S.C. Law Enforcement Training Council with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or be a licensed private investigator with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or have completed a recognized forensic science degree or certification program or be enrolled in a recognized forensic science degree or certification program to be completed within 1 year of being elected to the office of coroner.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 210 Penn Street, Suite 1 Post Office Box 442 Edgefield SC 29824-0442
Filing phone number: 803-637-4072
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Board of Elections' office.
Filing requirements: Candidates for offices with a party primary are asked to submit three copies of a completed Statement of Intention of Candidacy/Party Pledge form (SICPP) available at scVOTES.org to the county electoral commission. Please wait to sign the form in front of an election official unless you are having the form notarized. Candidates must also submit a filing fee of $943.00 made out to their respective state political party (Cashier's checks and money orders are acceptable. Cash will not be accepted). South Carolina law further requires that candidates complete a Statement of Economic Interest and submit it electronically to the State Ethics Commission website before March 30th by noon or during the 14 day filing period for elections that do not coincide with the November general.