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South CarolinaH 3557126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-11-15, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN AS A CANDIDATE IN GENERAL ELECTIONS, SO AS TO SHORTEN THE CANDIDATE FILING PERIOD, TO PROVIDE FILING FEES FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING NOMINATION BY POLITICAL PARTY PRIMARY OR CONVENTION, TO ALLOW POLITICAL PARTIES TO CHARGE CANDIDATES A CERTIFICATION FEE, AND TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR A STATE OR COUNTY COMMITTEE TO ALLOW ENTRY OF OTHER CANDIDATES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER A CANDIDATE HAS DIED OR WITHDRAWN; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-11-210, RELATING TO THE FILING OF PARTY PLEDGES BY CANDIDATES, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-40, RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF PARTY PRIMARIES, SO AS TO DELETE LANGUAGE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND USE OF CANDIDATE FILING FEES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-190, RELATING TO SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES IN OFFICE, SO AS TO AMEND THE APPLICABLE DATES FOR CANDIDATE FILING AND THE CONDUCT OF SPECIAL PRIMARIES, SPECIAL RUNOFF PRIMARIES, AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

Sponsored By: Brandon Newton (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Candidate filing

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

New candidate fees for party nominations

Beginning January 1, 2027, candidates who seek a party nomination must pay a filing fee equal to 1% of the total salary for the full term or $100, whichever is higher. Candidates for lieutenant governor do not pay these fees. Parties may also charge a one-time certification fee up to $100 if they tell the State Election Commission by December 1 before the election year. The certification fee is paid with the filing fee and is kept by the party. Except for municipal races, parties must send filing fees to the State Election Commission for election costs.

June primary date for most offices

Starting January 1, 2027, most primaries for federal (not presidential), state, multi-county, countywide, and smaller local offices happen on the second Tuesday in June of general election years. Municipal primaries are not covered. Another law or ordinance can set a different date if it specifically says so.

Standard filing window and paperwork for candidates

Beginning January 1, 2027, the filing window to seek a party nomination runs from noon March 16 to noon March 25, with weekend or holiday adjustments. Where to file is set: multi-county and statewide offices file with the State Election Commission; countywide and smaller offices file with the county board; State House and Senate may file with either. Candidates must use State Election Commission forms and personally sign the party pledge in front of an authorized official. Within two days after filing closes, election offices must send filings and receipts to party committees. A candidate who did not file all required items by the deadline and is not certified is off the ballot, but a signed, dated copy of a timely filing preserves ballot access, and small errors not tied to qualifications are fixed in favor of access. Parties must certify by noon April 5 and must verify each candidate meets (or will meet) all qualifications; they cannot certify unqualified candidates. If an office had two or fewer candidates and one dies or withdraws, the party may reopen filing after a public vote, for three business days, if there is time to update ballots. Party leaders may designate observers to watch filings. Local law controls filing for nonpartisan school trustee elections where it sets different dates or procedures.

Unified schedule for special elections

Effective July 1, 2026, for vacancies on or after that date, filing opens at noon on the third Friday after the vacancy and closes seven days later at noon, with holiday shifts. Primaries are held on or after the eleventh Tuesday after the vacancy, runoffs two weeks later, and special elections on the next eligible date. Eligible dates are: fourth Tuesday in January; first Tuesday after the first Monday in April; second Tuesday in June of even years (primaries only); fourth Tuesday in August; and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (not for primaries). If an election date lands on a legal holiday, it moves to the next Tuesday. If a special election would be within 100 days of the regular general election for that office, no special election is held, except for U.S. House seats. Petition candidates must file by 60 days before the election, with verification by 45 days. Officials may adjust dates to avoid conflicts with statewide elections. One-time rule: the vacancy from March 17, 2026 is filled on June 9, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brandon Newton

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Heather Ammons Crawford

    Republican • House

  • Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • William M. "Bill" Hixon

    Republican • House

  • Fawn M. Pedalino

    Republican • House

  • Carla M. Schuessler

    Republican • House

  • Bill Taylor

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 294 • No: 64

House vote • 4/15/2026

(Candidate filing)Concur in Senate Amendments

Yes: 85 • No: 22

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

(Candidate filing)2nd Reading

Yes: 40 • No: 1

House vote • 3/26/2025

(Candidate filing)Passage of Bill

Yes: 87 • No: 18

House vote • 3/26/2025

(Candidate filing)Table Amendment 2  Amendment number 2

Yes: 82 • No: 23

Actions Timeline

  1. Act No. 137

    5/26/2026legislature

  2. Effective date See Act for Effective Date

    5/26/2026legislature

  3. Signed By Governor

    5/15/2026Governor

  4. Ratified R 178

    5/14/2026legislature

  5. Roll call Yeas-85 Nays-22

    4/15/2026House

  6. Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled

    4/15/2026House

  7. Scrivener's error corrected

    4/1/2026legislature

  8. Read third time and returned to House with amendments

    4/1/2026Senate

  9. Roll call Ayes-40 Nays-1

    3/31/2026Senate

  10. Read second time

    3/31/2026Senate

  11. Amended

    3/31/2026Senate

  12. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary

    2/18/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    4/1/2025Senate

  14. Introduced and read first time

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Scrivener's error corrected

    3/27/2025legislature

  16. Read third time and sent to Senate

    3/27/2025House

  17. Roll call Yeas-87 Nays-18

    3/26/2025House

  18. Read second time

    3/26/2025House

  19. Amended

    3/26/2025House

  20. Requests for debate-Rep

    3/26/2025House

  21. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Schuessler, Hixon

    3/26/2025House

  22. Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary

    3/20/2025House

  23. Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Guest, Crawford

    2/26/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee on Judiciary

    1/14/2025House

  25. Introduced and read first time

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

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