The bill S. 37 aims to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws concerning municipal elections. It introduces a new section, 5-15-45, which establishes expiration terms for certain municipal officeholders based on when their terms began, specifically for mayors and council members elected in 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025. Additionally, it amends Section 5-15-50 to specify that municipal general elections must occur on designated dates in odd-numbered years. Other amendments include requiring municipal election commissions to certify election results within three days, allowing candidates declared elected to take office pending contest outcomes, and prioritizing appeals from municipal election commission decisions in court.

Further changes include updates to the responsibilities of municipal election commissions, the process for contesting election results, and the transfer of election authority to county election commissions. The bill also mandates continuous reporting of election results and allows for early voting tabulation data to be integrated into the election management system. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval, with specific provisions becoming effective on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 5-15-45, 5-15-50, 5-15-100, 5-15-120, 5-15-130, 5-15-140, 5-15-145, 7-3-25, 7-13-1160, 7-15-420
01/15/2025: 5-15-45, 5-15-50, 5-15-100, 5-15-120, 5-15-130, 5-15-140, 5-15-145, 7-3-25, 7-13-1160, 7-15-420
Latest Version: 5-15-45, 5-15-50, 5-15-100, 5-15-120, 5-15-130, 5-15-140, 5-15-145, 7-3-25, 7-13-1160, 7-15-420