South Carolina bill H5358 mandates closed primaries, allowing only registered party members to vote in party primaries starting January 1, 2027.

South Carolina bill H5358 amends state election laws to enforce closed primaries, meaning only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary election starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires voters to register as members of a certified political party to participate in partisan primaries, with an option to register as an independent if no party is selected. It also mandates that parties must explicitly open their primaries to unaffiliated voters if they wish to allow such participation.

South Carolina bill H5358 mandates closed primaries, allowing only registered party members to vote in party primaries starting January 1, 2027.

South Carolina bill H5358 amends state election laws to enforce closed primaries, meaning only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary election starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires voters to register as members of a certified political party to participate in partisan primaries, with an option to register as an independent if no party is selected. It also mandates that parties must explicitly open their primaries to unaffiliated voters if they wish to allow such participation.