H5355

Closed primaries

Introduced·3/11/26
Introduced Text

South Carolina bill H5355 mandates closed primaries, allowing only registered party members to vote in partisan primaries starting January 1, 2027.

South Carolina bill H5355 amends state election laws to enforce closed primaries, meaning only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary election or advisory referendum. The bill requires the State Election Commission to assist county boards in informing voters about these procedures and mandates that voter registration applications include political party affiliation. Starting January 1, 2027, only registered party members can vote in partisan primaries unless a party decides to open its primary to unaffiliated voters.

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Where it stands

Current
Judiciary Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
14
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

History

Apr 15

House

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Terribile, Burns

Mar 11

House

Introduced and read first time

Mar 11

House

Referred to Committee on Judiciary