Bill 2576

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2576
Ratification Number:       308
Act Number:                290
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Relating to the qualifications of persons
                           entitled to vote in municipal elections

(A290, R308, H2576)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-5-610, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, SO AS TO REVISE THESE QUALIFICATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 7-5-620, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN ELECTOR PRODUCE CERTAIN PROOF BEFORE HE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE IN A MUNICIPAL ELECTION, SO AS TO CHANGE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 7-5-660, RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF DUPLICATE REGISTRATION BOOKS FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS BY THE MUNICIPAL SUPERVISORS OF REGISTRATION, SO AS TO CHANGE THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 7-5-640 RELATING TO MUNICIPAL SUPERVISORS OF REGISTRATION AND SECTION 7-5-650 RELATING TO THE FILLING OF VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE OF MUNICIPAL SUPERVISORS OF REGISTRATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Requirements for voting in municipal elections

SECTION 1. Section 7-5-610 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-610. Every citizen of this State and of the United States:

(1) Of the age of eighteen years and upwards;

(2) Having all the qualifications mentioned in Section 7-5-120;

(3) Who has resided within the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality in this State for thirty days previous to any municipal election;

(4) Who has been registered for county, state, and national elections as herein required;

Is entitled to vote at all municipal elections of his municipality."

Certificate of registration required

SECTION 2. Section 7-5-620 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-620. The production of a certificate of registration from the board of registration of the county entitling the applicant to vote in a polling precinct or ward within the incorporated municipality in which the applicant desires to vote and proof of the residence of the elector within the limits of the municipality for thirty days preceding any election constitutes conditions prerequisite to the right of any elector to vote."

Duplicate sets of books of registration must be prepared

SECTION 3. Section 7-5-660 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 7-5-660. The Executive Director of the State Election Commission must, along with the county board of registration in each county, prepare duplicate sets of books of registration for each ward or each precinct, showing the duly registered electors, according to the county registration books, living in each particular ward or precinct in the municipality."

Repeal

SECTION 4. Sections 7-5-640 and 7-5-650 of the 1976 Code are repealed.

Time effective

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.