Bill > H5358

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 generally only be allowed to vote in a partisan primary or advisory referendum if they are registered as a member of that particular certified political party, unless that party formally opts to open its primary to unaffiliated voters with advance notice to the State Election Commission. The bill mandates that voter registration forms and oaths will now require individuals to state their political party affiliation, if any, and the State Election Commission will be responsible for capturing and maintaining this data. It also establishes procedures for changing party affiliation or opting to be an independent voter, with a deadline of thirty days before a primary for such changes. Importantly, for primaries held before January 1, 2027, voters will still be permitted to participate if they sign an affidavit affirming their party membership at the time of voting or absentee ballot application, providing a transition period for the new system.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5358&session=126&summary=B