The "Secure, Accurate, and Verifiable Elections Act" (SAVE Act) is designed to improve the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in South Carolina. Key provisions include the creation of separate lists for active, inactive, and archived voter registrations, a ten-year voter registration period requiring valid identification, and the exclusive use of paper poll books at voting locations. The bill also sets a maximum population limit for precincts, necessitating the creation of new precincts when that limit is exceeded, and establishes a specific number of election managers based on registered voters, along with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, it mandates the use of hand-marked paper ballots, requires all ballots to be counted by hand with public observation, and enforces strict chain of custody requirements for voting system components.

The SAVE Act further enhances absentee voting regulations by expanding eligibility to include physically disabled individuals and pregnant women, while also implementing stricter guidelines for requesting absentee ballot applications. It limits requests to five per election and requires verification of the requestor's information. The bill mandates that election managers and clerks publish election results at polling places, allows for volunteer personnel in ballot counting, and requires county boards to post election results on their websites before notifying the State Election Commission. Lastly, it designates General Election Day as a legal holiday, aiming to bolster voter confidence through increased security and transparency measures.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 7-3-20, 7-5-160, 7-5-200, 7-7-715, 7-13-72, 7-13-700, 7-13-730, 7-13-870, 7-13-880, 7-13-1110, 7-13-1160, 7-15-320, 7-15-330, 7-15-420, 53-5-10
02/05/2025: 7-3-20, 7-5-160, 7-5-200, 7-7-715, 7-13-72, 7-13-700, 7-13-730, 7-13-870, 7-13-880, 7-13-1110, 7-13-1160, 7-15-320, 7-15-330, 7-15-420, 53-5-10
Latest Version: 7-3-20, 7-5-160, 7-5-200, 7-7-715, 7-13-72, 7-13-700, 7-13-730, 7-13-870, 7-13-880, 7-13-1110, 7-13-1160, 7-15-320, 7-15-330, 7-15-420, 53-5-10