2025-2026 Regular SessionSouth Carolina Legislature

S0037: Municipal Elections

Legislative Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 5-15-45 So As To Provide For The Expiration Of The Terms Of Office For Certain Municipal Officeholders; By Amending Section 5-15-50, Relating To The Time For Municipal General Elections, So As To Require That Municipal General Elections Be Held Only On Certain Enumerated Dates; By Amending Section 5-15-100, Relating To The Functions, Powers, And Duties Of Municipal Election Commissions, So As To Require Municipal Election Commissions Certify Results Not Later Than Three Days Following An Election; By Amending Section 5-15-120, Relating To Municipal Election Results, So As To Provide A Candidate Who Is Declared Elected By Certification Of The Election Results Has The Right To Take The Oath Of Office And To Perform The Duties Of The Office Pending The Outcome Of A Contest; By Amending Section 5-15-130, Relating To Procedures For Contesting The Results Of An Election, So As To Revise The Date In Which A Written Notice Of Contest Must Be Provided; By Amending Section 5-15-140, Relating To Appeals From Decisions Of Municipal Election Commissions, So As To Require Appeals Be Granted First Priority Of Consideration By The Court; By Amending Section 5-15-145, Relating To The Transfer Of Authority To Conduct Municipal Elections, So As To Update Terms; By Amending Section 7-3-25, Relating To The Duty Of The State Election Commission To Determine And Certify The Outcome Of Certain Elections, So As To Require The State Election Commission To Determine And Certify The Outcome Of Certain Municipal Elections; By Amending Section 7-13-1160, Relating To The Reporting Of Election Results To The State Election Commission, So As To Require Election Results To Be Reported Continuously And Without Undue Delay; And By Amending Section 7-15-420, Relating To The Tabulation Of Absentee Ballots, So As To Authorize Early Voting Tabulation Data To Be Loaded Into The Election Management System At The Same Time As Absentee Ballot Tabulation Data.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

60% Positive
High ConfidenceView detailed demographic breakdown ↓

Unlock Full Demographic Insights

Go beyond the overall score.

Gain a deeper understanding of this bill's potential impact across diverse communities, including detailed breakdowns by category and subgroup. Access to this granular analysis helps ensure equitable outcomes.

Enable full analysis features for your organization.

Contact Sales to Learn More

Or email us directly at sales@legiequity.us.

Bill History

12/11/2024
Prefiled
Senate
12/11/2024
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Senate
1/14/2025
Introduced and read first time
Senate
1/14/2025
Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Senate
1/15/2025
Scrivener's error corrected
1/16/2025
Referred to Subcommittee: Campsen (ch), Johnson, Kimbrell, Devine, Blackmon, Sutton, Zell
Senate

Status Information

Current Status
Introduced(12/11/2024)
Chamber
Senate
Committee
Judiciary(Senate)

Sponsors

Republican: 1

Documents

Draft
Bill Text1/15/202528.9 KB
Introduced
Bill Text12/11/202428.9 KB
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note1/27/2025164.3 KB