The bill H. 3557 proposes amendments to the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding candidate qualifications for general elections. It seeks to shorten the candidate filing period, requiring all candidates from each political party to pay a filing fee starting July 1, 2026. Additionally, political parties will be authorized to charge a certification fee of up to $100 to candidates seeking nomination through party primaries or conventions. The filing period for candidates will now be from noon on March 16 to noon on March 25, with provisions for extensions if the deadline falls on a weekend.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 7-11-210 to change the deadline for filing party pledges by candidates to noon on March 25. It specifies that candidates for state offices, U.S. Senate, and Congress must file their party pledges with the appropriate election commission, while candidates for the State Senate, House of Representatives, and local offices must file with their respective county boards of voter registration and elections. The bill also emphasizes that party pledges must be personally signed by the candidates in the presence of an authorized individual, invalidating any pledges signed by an agent. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 7-11-15, 7-11-210
03/20/2025: 7-11-15, 7-11-210
03/26/2025: 7-11-15, 7-11-210
03/27/2025: 7-11-15, 7-11-210
Latest Version: 7-11-15, 7-11-210