Split Ruling from Election Commission

The Laurens County Election Commission ruled in favor of Arthur Lee Philson Jr. today, but not for his wife. After just short of two hours of presentations, the Election Commissioners voted 5 – 0 that Arthur Lee Philson met the requirements of living at 3212 Milam Road, then voted 5-0 that his wife, Mrs. Philson did not meet the requirements of living at that address. The public votes came after fifteen minutes in executive session discussion of the Commission.

Arthur Lee Philson Jr. presented many documents to indicate he lived at the address, including receiving mail from various entities that was received at 3212 Milam Road. Some were ruled as not applicable to the question. Arthur Lee Philson recounted his history of always having considered his home on Milam Road, noting this was the property of his  adopted mother. He spoke of also using the same address four years ago when he unsuccessfully ran for County Council.

As for the documents submitted by W. Brown Patterson, asking for the Election Commission to review the matter, and noting the lack of tax record for the house on the property and the lack of power to the house, Arthur Lee Philson Jr. said that he lived in a camper on the property. As for having no power to the property, other than a security light from Laurens Electric Coop, Philson said he had a generator for the camper he lives in. He said he has had more than one camper, even an RV, on the property.

Regarding documentation of Mrs. Philson’s address being on Meek Drive, Laurens, Mr. Philson noted that they both registered to vote with the Milam road address when they married in 2017. He said more than once that a man doesn’t have to sleep with his wife all the time, apparently indicating she spent time at her Meek Drive residence. Mrs. Philson was present for the proceedings, but did not speak during the event.

After the votes were taken, the Election Commission Chair noted that their ruling could be appealed to the Court of Appeals.