The bill S. 109 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to establish stricter requirements for voting in partisan primary elections and partisan advisory referendums. It introduces a new section, 7-5-115, which stipulates that only individuals registered as members of a certified political party may vote in that party's primary elections or referendums, unless the party has opted to allow independent voters to participate. Additionally, the bill amends existing sections to require voters to declare their political party affiliation when registering and to provide a procedure for changing party affiliation after a selection has been made. The State Election Commission is tasked with maintaining a list of registered voters by party affiliation and assisting in capturing this data.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for voter registration, including the requirement for a written application that includes political party affiliation. It mandates that voters affirm their party membership or independent status through an affidavit at polling places. Notably, the bill allows for a transitional period where voters can register by party at primary elections conducted before January 1, 2026, and permits voting without the required affidavit in primaries held before June 2026. After this date, all primaries must adhere to the new regulations established by the bill.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 7-5-115, 7-5-110, 7-5-170, 7-9-20
Latest Version: 7-5-115, 7-5-110, 7-5-170, 7-9-20