South Carolina Law > Code of Laws > Title 7

SECTION 7-17-10. Meeting and organization of county boards of canvassers.

The commissioners of election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, state officers, circuit solicitors, members of the General Assembly, and county officers or any of these officers shall meet in some convenient place at the county seat on the Friday next following the election, before one o'clock in the afternoon of that day, and shall proceed to organize as the county board of canvassers. They may appoint some competent person as secretary. The chairman then shall proceed to administer the constitutional oath to each member of the board, as canvassers, and shall administer the constitutional oath to the secretary, and the secretary shall administer to the chairman the same oath that he has administered to the other members of the board. The commissioners of election for members of Congress and presidential electors or any of these officers likewise shall meet at the same time at the county seat and in the same manner shall proceed to organize as the county board of canvassers for the election of the federal officers.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-451; 1952 Code SECTION 23-451; 1942 Code SECTION 2310; 1932 Code SECTION 2310; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 244; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 242; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 216; G. S. 220; R. S. 174; 1882 (17) 1119; 1968 (55) 2316; 2002 Act No. 261, SECTION 1, eff May 20, 2002; 2019 Act No. 1 (S.2), SECTION 87, eff January 31, 2019.

Effect of Amendment

2019 Act No. 1, SECTION 87, in the first sentence, substituted "Governor and Lieutenant Governor" for "Governor, Lieutenant Governor", and made nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 7-17-20. Canvass of votes.

The county board of canvassers, respectively, shall then proceed to canvass the votes of the county and make such statements of such votes as the nature of the election shall require no later than noon on the Saturday next following the election and at such time shall transmit to the State Board of Canvassers the results of their findings.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-452; 1952 Code SECTION 23-452; 1942 Code SECTION 2311; 1932 Code SECTION 2311; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 245; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 243; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 217; G. S. 121; R. S. 175; 1882 (17) 1119, 1170, 1172 SECTION 3; 1968 (55) 2316.

SECTION 7-17-30. Protests and contests.

The county boards shall decide all cases under protest or contest that arise in their respective counties in the case of county officers and less than county offices, except for primaries and municipal elections. Any protest or contest must be filed in writing with the chairman of the board, together with a copy for each candidate in the race, by noon Wednesday following the day of the declaration by the board of the result of the election. However, service upon the chairman may be perfected by depositing with the county sheriff one copy of the protest, together with a copy for each candidate in the race. The sheriff must take immediate steps to deliver the copies to the chairman. The protest must contain each ground concisely stated separately. The chairman of the board must serve upon each candidate in the protested race a copy of the protest and serve a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the board for the purposes of hearing the protest.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-453; 1952 Code SECTION 23-453; 1942 Code SECTION 2311; 1932 Code SECTION 2311; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 245; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 243; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 217; G. S. 121; R. S. 175; 1882 (17) 1119, 1170, 1172 SECTION 3; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2124; 1993 Act No. 91, SECTION 1, eff June 14, 1993; 1996 Act No. 434, SECTION 24, eff June 4, 1996.

SECTION 7-17-40. Poll lists shall accompany ballots in protests.

The poll list of each polling place in a general, special or primary election shall accompany the ballots, printouts or other form of voter tabulation in each proceeding in which the votes cast at such polling place are involved in a protest.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-453.01; 1973 (58) 1859.

SECTION 7-17-50. Hearings on protests or contests.

The board shall hear the protest or contest on Monday next following the deadline for filing the protest or contest. Testimony at the hearing of the protest shall be limited to the grounds stated in the written protest.

The protestant and each other candidate in the protested race have the right to be present at the hearing, to be represented by counsel, to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to produce evidence relevant to the grounds of the protest.

The chairman of the board shall provide for and conduct the hearing as nearly as possible in accordance with the procedures and rules of evidence observed by the circuit courts of this State. The chairman shall have authority to administer oaths and subpoena witnesses. Upon the conclusion of the hearing of the protest, the board shall determine all issues by majority vote and forthwith certify the results of the election.

The board shall remain in session until a conclusion has been reached. All candidates in the protested or contested race and the chairman of the State Board of Canvassers shall be immediately notified of the board's decision.

The county board must submit the written transcript of the record of the hearing on the protest to the State Board of Canvassers not later than noon Monday, following the protest hearing before the county board.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-453.1; 1968 (55) 2316; 1993 Act No. 91, SECTION 2, eff June 14, 1993.

SECTION 7-17-60. Right to and notice of appeal from decision of county board.

The decision of the county board may be appealed to the State Board of Canvassers by any candidate adversely affected thereby. Notices of such appeal and the grounds thereof shall be made not later than noon Monday next following such decision by serving such notices on the chairman of the State Board. Provided, that service may be perfected by depositing at the office of the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division a copy of the grounds of appeal. A sufficient number of copies to be served upon all candidates in the protested race shall also be delivered to the county sheriff. Such officers shall take all steps necessary to deliver the notices to the respective parties.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-453.2; 1968 (55) 2316.

SECTION 7-17-70. Hearing of appeals.

Unless otherwise provided in Section 7-3-10(c), the state board must meet in Columbia not later than noon on Monday fourteen days following the filing of any notice perfected under Section 7-17-60 for the purpose of hearing appeals. The appellant and each other candidate in the protested race have the right to be present at the hearing, to be represented by counsel, and to be heard on the merits of the appeal. The state board is bound by the facts as determined by the county board. However, if in the opinion of at least two members of the state board the facts should be reviewed, then a hearing de novo must be held by the state board. In the event of a review of the facts, the state board may receive any new evidence or exhibits as it in its discretion considers necessary to determine the appeal. The state board must remain in session until all appeals have been disposed of.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-453.3; 1968 (55) 2316; 1992 Act No. 276, SECTION 2, eff March 10, 1992; 1993 Act No. 91, SECTION 3, eff June 14, 1993; 1997 Act No. 16, SECTION 1, eff April 23, 1997.

SECTION 7-17-80. Statements and returns.

The boards of county canvassers shall make such statements of the votes of the precincts of each county as the nature of the election shall require, within ten days from their first meeting, and shall transmit to the Board of State Canvassers any protest and all papers relating to the election.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-454; 1952 Code SECTION 23-454; 1942 Code SECTION 2311; 1932 Code SECTION 2311; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 245; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 243; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 217; G. S. 121; R. S. 175; 1882 (17) 1119, 1170, 1172 SECTION 3; 1968 (55) 2787.

SECTION 7-17-90. Duplicate statements filed with clerk of county.

Except in the case of the election for electors for President and Vice-President, duplicate statements shall be made and filed in the office of the clerk of the county or, if there be no such clerk duly qualified according to law, in the office of the State Election Commission.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-455; 1952 Code SECTION 23-455; 1942 Code SECTION 2312; 1932 Code SECTION 2312; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 246; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 244; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 218; G. S. 122; R. S. 176; 1882 (17) 1119, 1170, 1172 SECTION 3; 1971 (57) 85.

SECTION 7-17-100. Separate statements of votes given for each candidate.

The board of county canvassers shall make separate statements of the whole number of votes given in the precincts of each county for representatives in Congress and separate statements of all other votes given for other officers. Such statements shall contain the names of the persons for whom such votes were given and the number of votes given for each, which shall be written out in words at full length.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-456; 1952 Code SECTION 23-456; 1942 Code SECTION 2313; 1932 Code SECTION 2313; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 247; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 245; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 219; G. S. 123; R. S. 177; 1882 (17) 1119, 1170, 1172 SECTION 3; 1968 (55) 2787.

SECTION 7-17-110. Election protest deadlines.

If the deadline for filing an election protest provided in this chapter falls on a legal holiday, then the deadline extends to the next regular business day that is not a legal holiday. For purposes of this section, "next regular business day" means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 18 (S.92), SECTION 1, eff May 16, 2023.


SECTION 7-17-210. State Election Commission constitutes board.

The State Election Commission shall, ex officio, constitute the Board of State Canvassers.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-471; 1952 Code SECTION 23-471; 1942 Code SECTION 2318; 1932 Code SECTION 2318; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 252; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 250; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 224; G. S. 128; R. S. 182; 1882 (17) 1120 SECTION 41; 1968 (55) 2316.

SECTION 7-17-220. Meeting of board; telecommunication or electronic communication; public access.

Unless otherwise provided in Section 7-3-10(c), the Board of State Canvassers shall convene a meeting scheduled through the office of the Election Commission within ten days after any general election for the purpose of canvassing the vote for all officers voted for at such election, including the vote for the electors for President and Vice President, and for the purpose of canvassing the vote on all Constitutional Amendments and questions and other issues. Nothing in this section prohibits the meeting from being conducted by using telephone conference or other means of telecommunication or electronic communication. Any meeting of the Board of Canvassers as provided in this section must be accessible and without cost to the public and must comply with the notice requirements of Chapter 4, Title 30, the Freedom of Information Act.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-473; 1952 Code SECTION 23-473; 1942 Code SECTION 2317; 1932 Code SECTION 2317; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 251; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 249; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 223; G. S. 127; R. S. 181; 1882 (17) 1120; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2188; 1992 Act No. 276, SECTION 3, eff March 10, 1992; 2010 Act No. 205, SECTION 1, eff June 8, 2010.

SECTION 7-17-230. Power to adjourn; procedure when all certified statements have not been received.

The Board shall have power to adjourn from day to day for a term not exceeding fifteen days. In case all the certified statements for the election of electors for President and Vice-President shall not have been received on the day set for the meeting of the Board, the Board may adjourn from day to day until the same shall have been received, not exceeding five days; and if at the expiration of four days certified copies of the statements of the county canvassers shall not have been received from any county, the Board shall proceed to canvass upon such of the statements as shall have been received.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-474; 1952 Code SECTION 23-474; 1942 Code SECTIONS 2323, 2339; 1932 Code SECTIONS 2323, 2339; Civ. C. '22 SECTIONS 257, 272; Civ. C. '12 SECTIONS 255, 269; Civ. C. '02 SECTIONS 229, 242; G. S. 133, 146; R. S. 187, 200; 1882 (17) 1123.

SECTION 7-17-240. Board shall make certified statement of all votes cast.

The Board when thus formed shall, upon the certified copies of the statements made by the boards of county canvassers, proceed to make a statement of the whole number of votes given at such election for and against constitutional amendments and other questions and issues and for the various officers, including electors for President and Vice-President and for each of them voted for, distinguishing the several counties in which they were given. They shall certify such statements to be correct and subscribe the same with their proper names.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-475; 1952 Code SECTION 23-475; 1942 Code SECTION 2320; 1932 Code SECTION 2320; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 254; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 252; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 226; G. S. 130; R. S. 184; 1884 (17) 1120 SECTION 43; 1974 (58) 2187.

SECTION 7-17-250. Board shall declare persons elected and decide contested or protested cases; appeals.

Upon such statements the Board shall then proceed to determine and declare what persons have been duly elected to such offices. The Board shall act in an appellate judicial capacity in all cases contested or protested that come before it on appeals from county boards of canvassers.

Appeals from decisions of the State Board shall be taken directly to the Supreme Court on petition for a writ of certiorari only based on the record of the State Board hearing and shall be granted first priority of consideration by the Court. Notice of appeals shall be served within ten days of the Board's decision. Provided, however, that when a contest or protest concerns the election of a State Senator, appeals from decisions of the State Board shall be only to the Senate and when the election of a member of the House of Representatives is concerned, the appeal shall be only to the House of Representatives.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-476; 1952 Code SECTION 23-476; 1942 Code SECTION 2322; 1932 Code SECTION 2322; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 256; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 254; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 228; G. S. 132; R. S. 186; 1882 (17) 1120; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2182.

SECTION 7-17-260. Cases decided by state board; filing and service.

The state board shall decide all cases under protest or contest that may arise in the case of federal officers, state officers, members of the State Senate and the State House of Representatives, and offices involving more than one county. Any such protest or contest shall be filed in writing with the chairman of the board, together with a copy for each candidate in the race, not later than noon five days following the canvassing of the votes for such offices by the board; provided, however, that service upon the board may be perfected by depositing at the office of the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division a copy of the protest, together with a copy for each candidate in the race. The chief shall take immediate steps to deliver such copies to the chairman. The protest shall contain each ground thereof concisely stated separately. The chairman of the board shall forthwith serve upon each candidate in the protested race a copy of the protest and serve a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the board for the purposes of hearing the protest. A protest or contested case heard by the state board pursuant to Chapter 17 of Title 7 shall be considered an "administrative action" pursuant to Section 15-36-10.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-476.1; 1968 (55) 2316; 1993 Act No. 91, SECTION 4, eff June 14, 1993; 2006 Act No. 284, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2006.

Editor's Note

2006 Act No. 284, SECTION 5, provides as follows:

"This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and must not be put into practice until it receives preclearance by the United States Department of Justice." [preclearance received September 5, 2006]

SECTION 7-17-270. Hearing of protest or contest; procedure at hearing; notice of decision; appeals.

The board, acting in a judicial capacity, shall hear the protest or contest not earlier than the fifth nor later than the twenty-fifth day following receipt of the protest. Testimony at the hearing of the protest shall be limited to the grounds stated in the written protest.

The protestant and each other candidate in the protested race shall have the right to be present at the hearing, to be represented by counsel, to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to produce evidence relevant to the grounds of the protest. The chairman of the board shall provide for and conduct the hearing as nearly as possible in accordance with the procedures and rules of evidence observed by the circuit courts of this state. The chairman shall have authority to administer oaths and subpoena witnesses. Upon the conclusion of the hearing of the protest, the board shall determine all issues by majority vote and forthwith certify the results of the election.

The board shall remain in session until a conclusion has been reached. All candidates in the protested or contested race shall be immediately notified of the board's decisions.

Appeals from decisions of the state board shall be taken directly to the Supreme Court on petition for a writ of certiorari only based on the record of the state board hearing and shall be granted first priority of consideration by the Court.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-476.2; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2197; 1993 Act No. 91, SECTION 5, eff June 14, 1993.

SECTION 7-17-275. Petitioning Supreme Court for costs and attorney's fees associated with election protest.

(A) A party opposing an election protest that prevails at the hearing before the board may petition the circuit court for reasonable costs and attorney's fees associated with the defense of the protest if the protestant does not appeal the board's decision to the Supreme Court. The board may also petition the circuit court for reasonable costs and expenses associated with hearing the protest. For appeals filed pursuant to Section 7-17-70, the petition must be filed and heard in the county where the protest was originally filed. For protests filed pursuant to Section 7-17-260, involving officers elected on a statewide basis, the petition must be filed and heard in Richland County. For all other protests filed pursuant to Section 7-17-260, the petition may be filed in any county where voting precincts comprising the election district for the office under protest are located. In order to award costs and attorney's fees pursuant to this section, the court must find that the protestant brought the protest for an improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay, or that the protest was not warranted by existing law, the facts of the case, or that it was frivolous in nature.

(B) Upon appeal from a decision of the board, the Supreme Court may award costs and attorney's fees associated with the appeal to the party prevailing on appeal when the Supreme Court finds that there were no reasonable grounds to appeal the decision of the board. In cases where the prevailing party is the party opposing the protest, the Supreme Court may award costs and attorney's fees associated with the entire defense of the protest if it finds that the protestant brought the protest for an improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay, or that the protest was not warranted by existing law, the facts of the case, or that it was frivolous in nature.

HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 284, SECTION 1, eff May 19, 2006.

Editor's Note

2006 Act No. 284, SECTION 5, provides as follows:

"This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and must not be put into practice until it receives preclearance by the United States Department of Justice." [Preclearance received September 5, 2006]

SECTION 7-17-280. Mandatory recounts.

Whenever the difference between the number of votes received by a candidate who has been declared nominated for an office in a primary election or who has been declared elected to an office in a general election and the number of votes received by any other candidate or candidate not declared so nominated or elected or whenever the difference between the number of votes received by a candidate who received the least number of votes to qualify for a runoff election and a candidate or candidates who did not so qualify shall be not more than one percent of the total votes which were cast for such office therein, the committee or board charged by law with canvassing such votes shall order a recount of such votes to be made forthwith unless such other candidate or candidates shall waive a recount in writing.

Whenever the difference between the number of votes cast in favor of and opposed to any constitutional amendment, question or other issue is not more than one percent of the total cast thereon, the Board of State Canvassers shall order a recount of such votes to be made forthwith.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-476.3; 1964 (53) 1744; 1974 (58) 2189; 1977 Act No. 21, eff March 23, 1977.

SECTION 7-17-290. Certificate of determination delivered to Secretary of State.

The Board shall make and subscribe, on the proper statement, a certificate of their determination and shall deliver the same to the Secretary of State.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-477; 1952 Code SECTION 23-477; 1942 Code SECTION 2321; 1932 Code SECTION 2321; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 255; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 253; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 227; G. S. 113; R. S. 185; 1882 (17) 1120 SECTION 44.

SECTION 7-17-300. Secretary of State shall record result of canvass.

The Secretary of State shall record in his office, in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, each certified statement and determination which shall be delivered to him by the Board of State Canvassers and every dissent or protest that shall have been delivered to him by a canvasser.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-478; 1952 Code SECTION 23-478; 1942 Code SECTION 2325; 1932 Code SECTION 2325; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 259; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 257; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 231; G. S. 135; R. S. 189; 1882 (17) 1121 SECTION 48.

SECTION 7-17-310. Copies of determinations transmitted to persons elected and Governor.

The Secretary of State shall, without delay, transmit a copy, under the seal of his office, of such certified determination to each person thereby declared to be elected and a like copy to the Governor.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-479; 1952 Code SECTION 23-479; 1942 Code SECTIONS 2326, 2341; 1932 Code SECTIONS 2326, 2341; Civ. C. '22 SECTIONS 260, 274; Civ. C. '12 SECTIONS 257, 271; Civ. C. '02 SECTIONS 231, 244; G. S. 135, 148; R. S. 189, 202; 1882 (17) 1121, 1123; 1968 (55) 2316.

SECTION 7-17-320. Statements printed in public newspapers.

The Secretary of State shall cause a copy of such certified statements and determinations to be printed in one or more public newspapers of this State.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-480; 1952 Code SECTION 23-480; 1942 Code SECTION 2327; 1932 Code SECTION 2327; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 261; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 259; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 233; G. S. 137; R. S. 191; 1882 (17) 1121 SECTION 50.

SECTION 7-17-330. Certain certificates of election sent to Congress.

The Secretary of State shall prepare a general certificate, under the seal of the State and attested by him as Secretary thereof, addressed to the House of Representatives of the United States in that Congress for which any person shall have been chosen, of the due election of such person as Representative of this State in Congress and shall transmit the same to such House of Representatives at their first meeting.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-481; 1952 Code SECTION 23-481; 1942 Code SECTION 2328; 1932 Code SECTION 2328; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 262; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 260; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 234; G. S. 138; R. S. 192; 1882 (17) 1121 SECTION 51.

SECTION 7-17-340. Record of elected county officers.

The Secretary of State shall enter in a book to be kept in his office the names of the respective county officers elected in this State, specifying the counties for which they were severally elected, their place of residence, the office for which they were respectively elected and their term of office.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-482; 1952 Code SECTION 23-482; 1942 Code SECTION 2329; 1932 Code SECTION 2329; Civ. C. '22 SECTION 263; Civ. C. '12 SECTION 261; Civ. C. '02 SECTION 235; G. S. 139; R. S. 193; 1882 (17) 1121 SECTION 52.


SECTION 7-17-510. Convening of county board of voter registration and elections as county boards of canvassers; canvass and certification of primary results; canvass and declaration of results by Board of State Canvassers; telecommunication or electronic communication; public access.

The board of voter registration and elections for the counties shall convene a meeting on the Thursday next following the primary, before one o'clock p.m. of that day and shall organize as the county board of canvassers for primaries. They may appoint a competent person as secretary. The chairman shall administer the constitutional oath to each member of the board and to the secretary. The secretary shall administer to the chairman the same oath. Each county board of canvassers for primaries shall canvass the votes of the county and declare the results. The county board of canvassers for primaries shall make statements of the votes of the precincts of its county as the nature of the primary requires not later than twelve o'clock noon on the Saturday next following the primary and at that time transmit and certify to the Board of State Canvassers the results of its findings. This procedure must be repeated following every primary runoff. The Board of State Canvassers shall convene a meeting scheduled through the office of the State Election Commission and shall canvass the vote and declare the results of the primaries and the runoffs no later than twelve o'clock noon on the Saturday next following the primary in the State for state offices, federal offices, and offices involving more than one county. Nothing in this section prohibits any meeting required by this section from being conducted by using telephone conference or other means of telecommunication or electronic communication. Any meeting provided for in this section must be accessible and without cost to the public and must comply with the notice requirements of Chapter 4, Title 30, the Freedom of Information Act.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-491; 1952 Code SECTION 23-491; 1950 (46) 2059; 1992 Act No. 253, SECTION 11, eff February 19, 1992; 2010 Act No. 205, SECTION 2, eff June 8, 2010.

SECTION 7-17-520. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Protests and contests generally; filing and service, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492; 1952 Code SECTION 23-492; 1950 (46) 2059; 1968 (55) 2316; 1997 Act No. 63, SECTION 1, eff June 10, 1997. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-530. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Hearing by county executive committee, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492.1; 1968 (55) 2316; 1997 Act No. 63, SECTION 2, eff June 10, 1997. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-540. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Right to and notice of appeal from decision of county executive committee, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492.2; 1968 (55) 2316. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-550. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Hearing of appeals by state executive committee, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492.3; 1968 (55) 2316; 1997 Act No. 63, SECTION 3, eff June 10, 1997. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-560. State executive committee to hear certain protests and contests; place of hearing; filing; notice and service.

(A) The state executive committee must meet in Columbia at such place as may be designated by the chairman to hear and decide protests and contests that may arise in the case of federal officers, state officers, State Senate, State House of Representatives, officers involving more than one county, partisan county officers, partisan less than county officers, and partisan municipal officers. Any protest or contest must be filed in writing with the chairman of the committee, together with a copy for each candidate in the race, not later than noon on Monday following the canvassing of the votes for these officers. However, service upon the chairman may be perfected by depositing at the office of the Chief of the State Law Enforcement Division a copy of the protest, together with a copy for each candidate in the race. The chief must take immediate steps to deliver these copies to the chairman. The protest must contain each ground thereof stated separately and concisely. The chairman of the committee must forthwith serve upon each candidate in the protested race a copy of the protest and serve a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the committee for the purposes of hearing the protest.

(B) The state executive committee may, by resolution adopted at least sixty days prior to the conduct of a primary, require the filing of any protest or contest to be accompanied by a refundable deposit for hearing costs, not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars. The amount of the deposit must be refunded to a candidate who files a protest or contest only if:

(1) the state executive committee upholds the protest or contest; or

(2) a petition to the Supreme Court under Section 7-17-570(D) is granted.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492.5; 1968 (55) 2316; 1997 Act No. 63, SECTION 4, eff June 10, 1997; 2026 Act No. 213 (H.3556), SECTION 1, eff May 19, 2026.

Effect of Amendment

2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.

SECTION 7-17-570. Procedure for hearing protest or contest; notice of decision.

(A) The executive committee shall hear the protest or contest within two weeks of the deadline for filing the same. Testimony at the hearing shall be limited to the grounds stated in the written protest.

(B) The protestant and each other candidate in the protested race shall have the right to be present at the hearing, to be represented by counsel, to examine and cross-examine witnesses and to produce evidence relevant to the grounds of the protest. The chairman of the committee shall provide for and conduct the hearing as nearly as possible in accordance with the procedures and rules of evidence observed by the circuit courts of this State. The chairman shall have authority to administer oaths and subpoena witnesses. Upon the conclusion of the hearing of the protest the committee shall determine all issues by majority vote and forthwith certify the results of the election. The State Election Commission shall pay for the costs of the court reporter and the transcript of the hearing.

(C) The committee shall remain in session until a conclusion has been reached. All candidates in the protested or contested race shall be immediately notified of the committee's decision.

(D) Appeals from decisions by the state executive committee must be taken directly to the Supreme Court on petition for a writ of certiorari based only on the record of the state executive committee hearing. Notice of appeal must be served within ten days of the state executive committee's decision. The Supreme Court may impose filing fees for appeals taken pursuant to this subsection.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-492.6; 1968 (55) 2316; 1992 Act No. 253, SECTION 12, eff February 19, 1992; 2026 Act No. 213 (H.3556), SECTION 2, eff May 19, 2026.

Effect of Amendment

2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 2, rewrote the section.

SECTION 7-17-580. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Appeal of protests and contests in municipal primaries, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-493; 1952 Code SECTION 23-493; 1950 (46) 2059. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-590. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Board of State Canvassers for Municipal Primaries, had the following history: 1962 Code SECTION 23-494; 1952 Code SECTION 23-494; 1950 (46) 2059. Repealed by 2026 Act No. 213, SECTION 4, eff May 19, 2026.

SECTION 7-17-600. No candidate shall be declared nominated in first primary without majority vote.

No candidate shall be declared nominated in a first primary election unless he received a majority of the votes cast for the office for which he was a candidate. The question of a majority vote shall be determined by the number of votes cast for any particular office and not by the whole number of votes cast in the primary.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-496; 1952 Code SECTION 23-496; 1950 (46) 2059.

SECTION 7-17-610. What constitutes majority vote.

It is the intent of the South Carolina General Assembly that the following method be used in determining what candidates have received a majority vote for a particular office and are thereby entitled to be nominated on the first ballot according to the terms of Sections 7-17-600 and 7-13-50.

(1) If a candidate for a single office is to be selected, and there is more than one person seeking nomination, the majority shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all candidates by two. Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a majority, and the candidate who obtains a majority shall be declared the nominee.

(2) If nominees for two or more offices (constituting a group) are to be selected, and there are more persons seeking nomination than there are offices, the majority shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all candidates by the number of positions to be filled, and by dividing the result by two. Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a majority, and the candidates who obtain a majority shall be declared the nominees in the first primary. If more candidates obtain a majority than there are positions to be filled, those having the highest vote (equal to the number of positions to be filled) shall be declared the nominees.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-496.1; 1972 (57) 3087.

SECTION 7-17-620. Unopposed candidates declared nominees.

All unopposed candidates in primary elections shall be declared the nominees of the party by the respective State or county committees.

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 23-497; 1952 Code SECTION 23-497; 1950 (46) 2059.


SECTION 7-17-700. Continuation of protest in event of death of candidate in primary or nonpartisan election.

If any candidate in a primary or nonpartisan election dies after the election but before the time for filing a protest or dies after a protest has been timely filed, his political party or a representative duly appointed by the court may file or continue the protest on his behalf. The authority reviewing the protest may then certify the results and deny the protest or uphold the protest in which case it must order a new election. In this event, additional filings of candidacy will be allowed and a new election held in the manner the authority responsible for conducting the election provides.

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 357, eff March 28, 1986.

SECTION 7-17-710. Continuation of protest in event of death of candidate in special or general election.

If any candidate in a special or general election dies after the election but before the time for filing a protest or dies after a protest has been timely filed, his political party or a representative duly appointed by the court may file or continue the protest on his behalf. The authority reviewing the protest may then certify the results and deny the protest or uphold the protest in which case it must order a new election. In this event, additional filings of candidacy are allowed and a new election held in the manner the authority responsible for conducting the election provides.

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 357, eff March 28, 1986.