summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 5-15-50, Relating To Establishment Of Municipal Ward Lines And The Time For General And Special Elections, So As To Require That Municipal General Elections Be Held On One Of Certain Enumerated Dates; By Amending Section 5-15-60, Relating To Municipalities Adopting Methods Of Nominating Candidates And Determining Election Results, So As To Provide That Any Municipality Which Elects To Hold Partisan Elections For Municipal Offices Is Responsible For Paying All Costs And Expenses Associated With The Conduct Of A Municipal Primary; By Amending Section 5-15-120, Relating To Vote Counting In Municipal Elections, So As To Allow Municipalities To Determine When Newly Elected Officials May Be Qualified And Their Terms Commence, And To Provide That A Candidate Declared Elected Has The Right To Take The Oath Of Office And Perform The Duties Of That Office Pending The Outcome Of An Appeal; By Amending Section 5-15-130, Relating To Procedures For Contesting The Results Of A Municipal Election, So As To Extend The Deadline For Filing A Written Notice Of A Contest, And To Require A Municipal Election Commission To Conduct A Hearing On A Contest By A Certain Date; By Amending Section 5-15-140, Relating To Appeals From Decisions Regarding Municipal Election Contests, So As To Remove Language Indicating A Notice Of Appeal Stays Further Proceedings Pending Appeal, And To Provide That A Court Shall Give Such Appeals First Priority Of Consideration; And By Amending Section 5-15-145, Relating To The Transfer Of Authority To Conduct Municipal Elections To County Boards Of Voter Registration And Elections, So As To Require County Boards Of Voter Registration And Elections To Conduct Municipal Elections For Municipalities That Elect To Transfer This Authority.
AI Summary
This bill makes several key modifications to South Carolina's municipal election laws. It standardizes municipal election dates by requiring general elections to be held either on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April or November in odd-numbered years, with some exceptions for municipalities currently holding elections in even-numbered years. The bill mandates that municipalities choosing to hold partisan elections must cover all costs associated with primary elections. It also provides more flexibility for municipalities in determining when newly elected officials can be qualified and begin their terms, allowing them to set start dates between 48 hours and 80 days after election certification. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for contesting election results, requires municipal election commissions to conduct hearings on contests by a specific date, and removes language that automatically stays proceedings during an election appeal. The bill also authorizes municipalities to transfer election authority to county boards of voter registration and elections, with specific provisions for how such transfers can occur and the responsibilities of both parties. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines and more local control over municipal election processes while ensuring transparency and proper electoral procedures.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Member(s) request name added as sponsor: M.M.Smith (on 02/04/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4669&session=126&summary=B |
| Fiscal Note - H4669 2026-01-13 Introduced | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/fiscalimpactstatements/H4669%202026-01-13%20introduced.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4669_20251217.htm |
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