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 local boards 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 at polling places and allows for registration at partisan primary elections until January 1, 2026. Notably, the bill includes a provision that permits voting in primaries conducted before June 2026 without the signed affidavit, but after that date, compliance with the new requirements will be mandatory. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

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