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 establishment of separate lists for active, inactive, and archived voter registrations, as well as the requirement for valid identification for voter registration. The bill mandates the exclusive use of paper poll books at voting locations, sets a maximum population limit for precincts, and requires the creation of a new precinct within one year if the population exceeds this limit. Additionally, it stipulates a minimum number of election managers based on registered voters and introduces stricter regulations for absentee voting, including a witness signature requirement on applications.

The SAVE Act also emphasizes public access to the ballot counting process, mandating that all votes be cast on hand-marked paper ballots counted by hand. It establishes chain of custody requirements for voting system components and allows public observation of the counting process. The bill includes provisions for auditing election results and requires counties to post election results on their websites before notifying the State Election Commission. Furthermore, it updates legal holidays to designate general election day as a holiday, clarifies categories of qualified electors for absentee voting, and limits individuals to requesting absentee ballot applications for no more than five electors per election. Overall, the act aims to enhance the integrity and accessibility of the voting process while ensuring transparent communication of election results to the public.

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