The bill H. 4543 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 7-13-65, which allows the State Election Commission or county boards of voter registration and elections to extend voting hours at polling locations that experience delays in opening or interruptions in voting. Specifically, if a polling place is delayed for fifteen minutes or more after the scheduled opening time or if voting is interrupted for the same duration, the commission may extend the closing time by an equal number of minutes, not exceeding 120 minutes. The commission will be available to approve such extensions and must receive reports from county boards detailing the delays or interruptions.

Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for these reports, including an affidavit from the county board director attesting to the delay's duration, causes, and the number of voters affected. Decisions made by the commission regarding extended voting hours must be published on its website, and records must be maintained for at least eight years. The bill also stipulates that voters who cast their ballots after the original closing time due to an extension will only be allowed to vote using provisional ballots, which must be counted separately unless the order is reversed before the county canvass. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
05/08/2025: 7-13-65
Latest Version: 7-13-65