COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) -- The head of the South Carolina Election Commission was ousted from his position following a vote by the agency's governing body on Wednesday.

Howard Knapp was removed as executive director, effective immediately, due to a "desire for new leadership," according to a statement from Chairman Dennis Shedd.

"The decision was unrelated to the conduct of any election in South Carolina," Shedd's statement continued.

Chief of Staff Jenny Wooten was appointed to serve as interim director.

The decision to fire Knapp comes as the election commission is facing pressure from the Justice Department to release its voter rolls, which contain sensitive information, including driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers.

A Calhoun County woman sued to stop the release in

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