Bill > H3588

This bill amends South Carolina municipal election laws by adding two new provisions to streamline uncontested elections. First, it establishes a requirement for write-in candidates to file a formal declaration within fourteen days after the candidate filing period ends, which must include their legal name, common names, the office they seek, and their intention to run as a write-in candidate. If a write-in candidate does not file this declaration, any write-in votes for them will not be counted. Second, the bill allows for automatic election of a candidate if they are the only person who has filed for an office and no write-in candidates have declared, meaning the office would not appear on the ballot and the candidate would be deemed elected upon certification of election results. If no other contested offices are on the ballot, no election would be held at all. This legislation aims to simplify municipal election processes by reducing administrative overhead for uncontested races and providing clear rules for write-in candidacies. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3588&session=126&summary=B