18 Jan 2025
Just a note to begin – this is a minor milestone, my 80th MDW Update on General Assembly actions affecting voting, elections, and other essential elements of democracy in South Carolina.
The General Assembly has gotten off to a quick start with committee meetings. This coming Tuesday, January 21, 2025, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee chaired by Senator Chip Campsen will meet in Gressette 105 to consider four bills. As always, the full texts of these bills can be found at www.scstatehouse.gov.
The published agenda does not provide any special instructions for those who wish to testify orally, so it is likely there will be the usual signup opportunity at the door of Gressette 105. Paula Benson is attorney for the subcommittee. Customary procedures suggest that written testimony could be sent to the committee at her email address, paulabenson [at] scsenate.gov. Attending the meeting is always helpful; even if you choose not to testify this shows that the issues are of interest.
Constitutional Officers
S.35 is a resolution co-sponsored by senators Campen, Grooms, and Rice that would propose a constitutional amendment that would delete the Comptroller General from the list of constitutional officers and provide that the General Assembly would provide by law to handle the duties that have been assigned to that official. The Governor would perform the current duties of the offices as they relate to bond indebtedness. The League of Women Voters has conducted a study on the issue of which offices should remain constitutional elected positions. We have not had a final vote in convention but we can support this bill, in keeping with the recommendations of our statewide local Leagues that have debated the issue.
Voting and Elections
S.36 would modify provisions for establishing polling places, including numbers of registered electors and notice to electors of persons whose registration is transferred.
S.37 addresses municipal elections, following on the last-minute failure in the 2024 session of a bill to standardize dates and reform processes associated with municipal elections.
S.38 would standardize the dates of special elections including primaries and runoffs.
