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, regardless of whether their party conducts a primary election. Additionally, political parties are authorized to charge a certification fee of up to one hundred dollars to candidates seeking nomination. The filing period for candidates is set between noon on March 16 and noon on March 25, with provisions for extensions if the deadline falls on a weekend.

Furthermore, the bill amends the requirements for filing party pledges by candidates, changing the deadline for submission to noon on March 25. It specifies that candidates must file their party pledges with the appropriate election commission and outlines the necessary conditions for the validity of these pledges, including the requirement for the candidate's personal signature in the presence of an authorized individual. The bill aims to streamline the candidate filing process and ensure compliance with party affiliation pledges.

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