Bill > H5317

This bill, titled "Closed primaries," aims to change how partisan primary elections and advisory referendums are conducted in South Carolina, with most provisions taking effect on January 1, 2027. Essentially, it mandates that to vote in a primary election for a specific political party, an individual must be registered as a member of that party. This means that voters will no longer be able to participate in a party's primary if they are not registered with that party, unless the party explicitly decides to open its primary to unaffiliated voters and notifies the State Election Commission in advance. The bill also requires voter registration forms and oaths to include a section for stating political party affiliation, and the State Election Commission will be responsible for capturing and maintaining this data. Furthermore, it outlines a process for voters to change their party affiliation or declare themselves unaffiliated, with specific deadlines before primaries. The bill also includes a transitional period, allowing voters to cast ballots in primaries held before January 1, 2027, by signing an affidavit affirming their party membership or unaffiliated status.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5317&session=126&summary=B