Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

February 28, 2024

 

H. 4590

 

Introduced by Reps. G. M. Smith, B. Newton, Carter, J. L. Johnson, Pope, Clyburn, Henegan, Taylor, Leber, Robbins, Murphy, Gatch, Brewer and Mitchell

 

S. Printed 02/28/24--H.

Read the first time January 09, 2024

 

________

 

The committee on House Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4590) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 7-13-25, relating to early voting, so as to extend the hours of operation of early voting centers, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

W. NEWTON for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill extends the hours of operation of all early voting centers in the state to 7:00 PM for statewide general elections, any runoff election, or any election that is not a statewide general or runoff election.  Currently, early voting centers must be open until 6:00 PM for statewide general elections and 5:00 PM for runoff elections or any election that is not a statewide general or runoff election.  According to the SEC, poll managers are paid $60 for attending training and $75 for working on election day.  The SEC indicates that the extension of early voting hours established by the bill will not have a direct impact on this pay, and therefore, the bill will have no impact on the SEC. 

 

Local Expenditure

Counties may choose to supplement poll worker pay above the amount provided by the SEC as a result of the bill.  However, the amount of additional pay and the number of counties that may choose to do so is unknown.  Therefore, we anticipate an undetermined impact on local expenditures.

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-25, RELATING TO EARLY VOTING, SO AS TO EXTEND THE HOURS OF OPERATION OF EARLY VOTING centers.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 7-13-25(F) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (F) The county board of voter registration and elections shall provide the hours of operation for the early voting center or centers in accordance with the following:

       (1) for statewide general elections, the early voting centers must be open from 8:30 a.m. until 6:007:00 p.m. on each day of the early voting period;

       (2) for any election that is not a statewide general election or runoff election, the early voting centers must be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:007:00 p.m. during the early voting period;

       (3) for any runoff election, the early voting centers must be open on the Wednesday through Friday immediately preceding the election and must be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:007:00 p.m.; and

       (4) for any election, the early voting centers must not be open on Sundays or on legal holidays.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----