Howard M. Knapp served as Executive Director of the South Carolina State Election Commission from January 2022 until his dismissal in September . As South Carolina's Chief Election Official, he oversaw primary, general, and special elections statewide to ensure fairness, supervised county voter registration and election boards, and liaised with the S.C. General Assembly. He is not affiliated with a political party and does not represent a specific district, as this is an appointed statewide executive role rather than an elected position.

Prior roles included Interim Executive Director and Director of Voter Services at the Commission, managing IT, cybersecurity, voting systems, ballot production, audits, and area representatives. He had over a decade in S.C. state government, including positions at the Department of Social Services, Executive Budget Office, Office of Regulatory Staff, and Legislative Audit Council.

Knapp was fired by a 3-2 commission vote amid investigations into misconduct, including alleged misuse of agency funds, embezzlement, ethics violations , and a $4 million overrun on a $28 million voting machine contract. He lives in Columbia with his wife Katie and five children.

Notable positions held: U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board member; Electronic Registration Information Center Board of Directors; National Association of State Election Directors member; Certified Election and Registration Administrator.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- J.D., Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida.

- B.A., The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina .

Political Experience:

- Appointed Executive Director, SC State Election Commission ; dismissed September .

- Decade-plus in S.C. legislative/executive branches: SC Dept. of Social Services; Executive Budget Office; Office of Regulatory Staff; Legislative Audit Council.

No elected political experience or party affiliation documented; role was nonpartisan administrative.