The bill H. 5278 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to ensure that only U.S. citizens and citizens of South Carolina are eligible to register to vote. Specifically, it modifies Section 7-5-120 by stating that "only a citizen of this State and of the United States" may register, thereby reinforcing the requirement for citizenship. Additionally, the bill amends Section 7-5-675 to prohibit the issuance of voter registration cards to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, ensuring that only eligible voters receive these cards.

This legislation is currently under consideration in the House Committee on Judiciary after being introduced on February 26, 2026. If enacted, the changes will take effect upon approval by the Governor, further tightening voter registration requirements in South Carolina to include only those who are citizens.

Statutes affected:
02/26/2026: 7-5-120, 7-5-675
Latest Version: 7-5-120, 7-5-675