Bill > H3518

This bill establishes the Election Official Protection Act in South Carolina, which creates comprehensive legal protections for election officials and election-related systems. The bill defines an election official broadly to include members of state and county election boards and commissions, and establishes several key protections: it makes it illegal to interfere with, threaten, coerce, or intimidate election officials in the performance of their duties, prohibits physical obstruction of election officials' work, and prevents the public dissemination of personal information about election officials that could pose a safety threat. The legislation also criminalizes unauthorized access to or tampering with voting systems, electronic poll books, and election management systems, and makes it illegal to tamper with ballot boxes, voter registration lists, or the statewide voter registration system. Violations of these provisions can result in criminal penalties including up to three years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine, as well as civil actions that can seek damages, attorney's fees, and additional civil penalties. The bill empowers the Attorney General, solicitors, and election officials to bring civil actions to prevent or remedy violations, with a two-year statute of limitations, and establishes that individuals can also sue for damages. Additionally, the bill allows for vicarious liability for those who aid or conspire to commit these prohibited acts, providing a comprehensive legal framework to protect election officials and election infrastructure.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3518&session=126&summary=B