Bill > H5330

This bill, titled "Closed primaries," aims to significantly alter how partisan primary elections and advisory referendums are conducted in South Carolina, moving towards a system where voters must be registered with a specific political party to participate in that party's primary. Starting January 1, 2027, individuals will only be allowed to vote in a partisan primary or advisory referendum if they are registered as a member of that particular political party, unless that party formally opts to open its primary to unaffiliated voters, known as "independent electors." The bill mandates that voter registration forms and oaths will now require individuals to declare their political party affiliation, if any, and the State Election Commission will be responsible for capturing and maintaining this data. It also establishes a process for voters to change their party affiliation or declare themselves unaffiliated, with specific deadlines before primaries. The bill includes a transition period, allowing voters to register their party affiliation at primaries held before January 1, 2027, and requires election officials to inform voters about these new procedures.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5330&session=126&summary=B