| South Carolina State Legislature | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 11, 2022 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Thomas Alexander (R) |
| House Speaker: | James Lucas (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Shane Massey (R) House: Gary Simrill (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Brad Hutto (D) House: James Rutherford (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 46 (Senate), 124 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, South Carolina Constitution |
| Salary: | $10,400/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 3, 2020 |
| Next election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Redistricting: | South Carolina Legislature has control |
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of South Carolina. It consists of the lower House of Representatives and the upper State Senate. Prior to Reynolds v. Sims, the House of Representatives was apportioned so that each county had a number of representatives based on population, with each county guaranteed at least one Representative, while each county had one Senator. Moreover, each county's General Assembly delegation also doubled as its county council.
Reynolds v. Sims caused district lines to cross county lines, causing legislators to be on multiple county councils. This led to the passage of the Home Rule Act of 1975, which created county councils that were independent of the General Assembly. However, some functions that in many other states are performed by county governments are still handled by county legislative delegations in South Carolina.
The General Assembly meets in joint session to elect judges, with all 170 members having an equal vote in such elections.
South Carolina enacted new state legislative district maps on December 10, 2021, when Gov. McMaster signed a proposal approved by the South Carolina House
and Senate into law. The South Carolina Senate approved House and Senate map proposals in a 43-1 vote on December 7, 2021, and the House approved the new districts in a 75-27 vote on December 9, 2021. Gov. McMaster signed the bill into law the next day.[1]
Click here for more information.
South Carolina has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives, South Carolina State Senate, South Carolina GovernorElections
2022
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 30, 2022.
2020
See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2020 and South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was March 30, 2020.
Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was March 30, 2020.
2018
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2018Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. A primary runoff election took place on June 26, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2018.[2]
2016
See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2016 and South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2016Elections for the South Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.
Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.
2014
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2014Elections for all 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014.
2012
See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2012 and South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2012Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012.
Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012.
2010
See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2010Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.
Sessions
Article III of the South Carolina Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 9 of Article III states that the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday of January each year. Section 9 allows the General Assembly to recede from session for up to thirty days by a majority vote of the legislative house seeking to recede. Furthermore, one or both houses can recede from session for more than thirty days if that action is approved by two-thirds of the members.
2022
See also: 2022 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessionsIn 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on May 12, 2022.
2021
See also: 2021 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessionsIn 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 13, 2021.
2020
See also: 2020 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessionsIn 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 25, 2020.
Effect of coronavirus pandemic
See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
2019
See also: 2019 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessionsIn 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 21, 2019.
2018
See also: 2018 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessionsIn 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through May 10, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.
2017See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessionsIn 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 11, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 6, 2017. 2016See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessionsIn 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2. 2015See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessionsIn 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4. The legislature had a veto session from June 16 to July 9.[3] Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 session included the South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on rural school equity, roads, gas prices, and criminal domestic violence. The court issued a ruling in a 21-year-old funding lawsuit and directed the legislature to provide a solution to inequity for rural schools in the state. However, lawmakers were given no direction by the state's highest court, and were forced to develop a plan on their own.[4] 2014See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessionsIn 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through June 6. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included ethics reform and government restructuring.[5] 2013See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessionsIn 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to June 20. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included computer security, improving the state's roads and bridges, and addressing healthcare.[6] 2012See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessionsIn 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 7. Major issues in 2012Legislators addressed a budget surplus of $900 million. Major agenda issues included tax reform, job security measures, reforming the state retirement system, and creating a new school funding formula.[7] 2011See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessionsIn 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 through June 2.[8] On June 2, 2011, Governor Nikki Haley (R) attempted to call the legislature into an "emergency" special session to begin on June 7 to create the new South Carolina Department of Administration. A lawsuit was filed by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell (R), in which he contended that Haley's call for a special session was unconstitutional, and that it violated the state Constitution's requirement of separation of powers among the governor, legislature and courts.[9] On June 6, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against Governor Haley, stating that her order violated the legislature's ability to set its calendar and agenda.[10] The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 to July 1.[11] The legislature re-convened July 26.[12] 2010See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessionsIn 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to June 3. |
Role in state budget
See also: South Carolina state budget and financesThe state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows[13]
- In August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
- Between September and October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
- Budget hearings are held with state agencies in October.
- In January, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature.
- Both the House and the Senate pass a budget. If these versions do not match, a conference committee consisting of both House and Senate members is assembled to reconcile the differences.[14]
- The legislature adopts a budget in June.
South Carolina is one of
44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.[13]
Senate
The South Carolina Senate is the upper house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 46 senators elected from single member districts for four-year terms at the same time as United States Presidential elections.
As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state senators represented an average of 111,270 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 100,551 residents.
South Carolina State Capitol
The South Carolina Constitution of 1895 provided for each county to elect one senator for a four-year term. The election of senators was staggered so that half of the state Senate was elected every two years. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1964 for the case Reynolds v. Sims, the state Senate was reapportioned in 1966 as a temporary measure into 27 districts with 50 members for two-year terms. In 1967, the state Senate was again reapportioned, this time into 20 districts with 46 members for four-year terms. The number of districts was reduced to 16 in 1972 and in 1984, they were eliminated with the creation of single member districts.
Senators serve without term limits.
| Democratic Party | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 30 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the South Carolina State Senate shifted in favor of the Republican Party. As a result of the 1992 elections, Democrats held a 30-16 majority. Partisan control had flipped by 2020, when Republicans expanded their majority 30-16. The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by
Ballotpedia staff.
South Carolina State Senate election results: 1992-2020
| Democrats | 30 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| Republicans | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 |
Most of the movement in partisan balance in the state Senate occurred in the three election cycles between 1992 and 2004. Republicans gained four seats in the 1996 and 2000 elections, with the elections in 2000 resulting in Republicans gaining control of the chamber. The GOP would go on to pick up another three seats in 2004.
House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time US Congressional elections. Unlike many legislatures, seating on the floor is not divided by party, but is arranged by county delegation.
As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state representatives represented an average of 41,277 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 37,301 residents.
Representatives serve without term limits.
| Democratic Party | 43 | |
| Republican Party | 81 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the South Carolina House of Representatives shifted in favor of the Republican Party. After the 1992 elections, Democrats held a 73-50 majority.
Republicans flipped the chamber in 1994 and, by 2020, expanded their majority to 81-43. The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina House of Representatives following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State
Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
South Carolina House of Representatives election results: 1992-2020
| Democrats | 73 | 58 | 53 | 59 | 54 | 51 | 50 | 51 | 53 | 48 | 46 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 43 |
| Republicans | 50 | 62 | 70 | 64 | 70 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 78 | 77 | 80 | 80 | 81 |
The most significant shift in the partisan balance of the state House occurred as a result of the 1994 elections. Republicans gained 12 seats that year and took control of the chamber. The following three election cycles—1996, 1998, and 2000—had the chamber moving back and forth between having seats gained by Democrats and Republicans, but with the GOP remaining in the majority. Between 2000 and 2020, the Republican majority slowly expanded from 70-54 in 2000 to 81-43 in 2020.
District maps
State Senate
The map below shows this district's current boundaries, not those enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle.
State House
The map below shows this district's current boundaries, not those enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Veto overrides
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in South Carolina are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 83 of the 124 members in the South Carolina House of Representatives and 31 of the 46 members in the South Carolina State Senate. South Carolina is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes.[15]
Authority: Article IV, Section 21 of the South Carolina Constitution.
"Every bill or joint resolution which shall have passed the General Assembly, except on a question of adjournment, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor, and if he approves he shall sign it; if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large on its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass it, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house it shall have the same effect as if it had been signed by the Governor; but in all such cases the vote of both houses shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill or joint resolution shall be entered on the Journals of both houses respectively."
Redistricting
See also: Redistricting in South CarolinaIn South Carolina, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[16]
South Carolina's legislative redistricting committees adopted redistricting guidelines in 2011. These guidelines recommend that all congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous and "attempt to preserve communities of interest and cores of incumbents' existing districts." Further, the guidelines suggest that districts should "adhere to county, municipal, and voting precinct boundary lines." These guidelines may modified by the legislature at its discretion.[16]
2020
See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2020 censusSouth Carolina
enacted new state legislative district maps on December 10, 2021, when Gov. McMaster signed a proposal approved by the South Carolina House and Senate into law. The South Carolina Senate approved House and Senate map proposals in a 43-1 vote on
December 7, 2021, and the House approved the new districts in a 75-27 vote on December 9, 2021. Gov. McMaster signed the bill into law the next day.[17]
2010
See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2010 censusOn June 15, 2011 the Senate approved its new maps by a unanimous 33-0 vote with little debate.[18] The same day, House representatives also approved their redistricting plan. [19]
History
Confederate flag removed
On July 9, 2015, the South Carolina State Legislature passed Senate Bill 897, which removed the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the State House. Senate Bill 897 had to be passed twice in each chamber by a two-thirds majority before it could be sent to the governor.[20] The Senate passed Senate Bill 897 by a vote of 37 to 3 on July 6, and by a vote of 36 to 3 on July 7.[20][21] The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 93 to 27 on June 8, and by a vote of 94 to 20 on July 9.[22] The final vote on the bill came in the early morning of July 9 after a 13-hour debate over the flag's removal.[23]
The newly reignited debate surrounding the Confederate flag began in South Carolina after the late Democratic Senator Clementa Pinckney and eight others were killed in a mass shooting at an African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015.[24] After the shooting, the police determined that the shooter was motivated by racial hatred, and had posed in pictures with the Confederate flag.[25] The massacre reignited a debate about the meaning of the Confederate flag and its symbol to different people.[26] Gov. Nikki Haley (R) used 13 pens to sign the bill on July 9, nine of which were given to the families of the nine victims who were killed in the mass shooting.[23][27]
After the state House passed the bill, Gov. Haley made the following statement on her Facebook page:
| “ | Today, as the Senate did before them, the House of Representatives has served the State of South Carolina and her people with great dignity. I'm grateful for their service and their compassion. It is a new day in South Carolina, a day we can all be proud of, a day that truly brings us all together as we continue to heal, as one people and one state.[28] | ” |
| —Gov. Nikki Haley (R)[29] |
The flag was removed from the State House grounds in a ceremony on the morning of July 10.[26] After flying for 54 years at the State House, the Confederate flag will now be on exhibit at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.[26]
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Partisan breakdown of the South Carolina legislature from 1992-2013
South Carolina State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Carolina State Senate for the first nine years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 13 years. South Carolina was under Republican trifectas for the final 11 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
South Carolina State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Carolina State House of Representatives for the first three years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 19 years. The South Carolina House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Carolina was under Republican trifectas for the final 11 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of South Carolina, the South Carolina State Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
SQLI and partisanship
To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.South Carolina was one of eight states to demonstrate a dramatic partisan shift in the 22 years studied. A dramatic shift was defined by a movement of 40 percent or more toward one party over the course of the study period. South Carolina was Republican-dominated during the years of the study but experienced a shift toward much stronger Republican control, resulting in Republican trifectas from 2003-2013.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the South Carolina state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. South Carolina ranked in the bottom-10 during every year of the study except the most recent. In 2012 it improved, finishing at 38th. The state's worst ranking, finishing 47th, occurred during both divided government and Republican trifectas.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 44.30
- SQLI average with divided government: 45.00
Chart displaying the partisanship of the South Carolina government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).
Legislators
Salaries
See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries| $10,400/year | $185.38/day. Tied to federal rate w/ additional amount added to match avg. hotel rate in Columbia, SC. Legislators also receive $1,000/month for expenses. |
Salary controversy
An October 2010 report by The Nerve showed that S.C. lawmakers receive, on average, about $32,000 per year in combined salary, reimbursements and expenses for serving in the Legislature and performing duties and tasks related to their legislative posts, according to an examination of legislative compensation for a recent two-and-a-half-year period.[30]
In all, S.C. taxpayers shelled out at least $14.8 million to cover salaries and expenses for 202 current or former House and Senate members from Jan. 1, 2008, through July 31, 2010, The Nerve reported.[31]
That works out to an average of more than $73,000 per legislator for the 2.5-year period.[31]
Total salary and expenses for individual lawmakers in The Nerve’s analysis ranged from a high of $133,529 for the 2.5-year period for Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, to a one-year low of $14,287 for former Rep. Bessie Moody-Lawrence, D-York.[31]
Salaries for other key S.C. legislators during the 30-month period include:
- Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, Jr., R-Charleston – $128,406;
- Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee – $109,505;
- House Speaker Pro Tempore Harry Cato, R-Greenville – $105,304; and
- Rep. Bill Sandifer III, R-Oconee – $102,226.[31]
The Nerve reported that in terms of lawmakers’ taxable legislative income, legislators most often earn at least $22,400 per year – more than two times their $10,400 salary, and in some cases much higher – when other types of compensation legislators receive are added to their base pay.[30] The Nerve obtained the financial data for the period from January 2008 through mid-2010 using the S.C. Freedom of Information Act.
The $32,000 average annual total amount of lawmakers’ salary and expenses didn’t include legislators’ pensions and health care benefits, the investigative website added.[30]
While the S.C. General Assembly has not increased legislators’ salaries in 20 years, The Nerve’s investigation revealed an opaque system of legislative compensation that masks the true costs of lawmakers.
The fogginess shows up in the other types of remuneration to legislators, the website reported. In dollar amounts from most to least, the three largest supplemental payments to lawmakers are for “in-district expenses,” “subsistence” and mileage.[30]
All three categories have caps, sort of:
- In-district: $1,000 per month, or $12,000 annually.
- Subsistence: $131 per legislative meeting day, whether in or out of session, for lodging and meals.
- Mileage: 50 cents per mile for senators; 44.5 cents for House members.
Lawmakers also can claim a $35 per-diem for attending a legislative-related meeting on a non-session day, and they are provided allocations for postage and flags, too.
The vast majority of South Carolina lawmakers claimed the annual maximum for in-district expenses during the 2.5-year review period. Thus, at $12,000, that alone more than doubled their annual salaries – from $10,400 to $22,400.[30]
Reinforcing the point, legislators’ in-district payments are treated as income for tax and pension purposes. For lawmakers who live within 50 miles of the State House, their subsistence also is equated as income under the tax code.
The Nerve also reported that S.C. lawmakers are not required to document their actual in-district and subsistence expenses.
Mileage is the one category with a built-in accountability feature. But when it comes to in-district and subsistence expenses, legislators file vouchers – not receipts – to claim those payments, filling in the amounts as they wish, up to the caps.[30]
When sworn in
See also: When state legislators assume office after a general electionSouth Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[32]
Joint legislative committees
The South Carolina State Legislature has one joint standing committee:
- Interstate Cooperation Committee, South Carolina State Legislature
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the South Carolina Constitution can be amended:
See also: Article XVI of the South Carolina Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in South CarolinaThere are two paths to amending the South Carolina Constitution: legislatively referred constitutional amendments and constitutional conventions.
- Either chamber of the South Carolina State Legislature can propose legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
- If "two-thirds of the members elected to each House" vote in favor, the amendment goes on the next general election ballot.
- If a simple majority of those voting on the amendment approve it, the amendment then goes back to the state legislature.
- "A majority of each branch of the next General Assembly, after the election and before another" must ratify the amendment for it to take effect.
- If there is more than one proposed amendment on a ballot, the amendments must be separated so voters can vote on them separately.
- "Two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the General Assembly" must vote in favor of putting a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention on a statewide ballot.
- A simple majority vote of the state's electors is sufficient to bring about a convention.
- "...such [a] Convention shall consist of a number of members equal to that of the most numerous branch of the General Assembly."
2023 measures:
See also: 2023 ballot measuresCertified:
The following measures were certified for the ballot.No measures to list
2022 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2022 ballot by the legislature.
See also: South Carolina 2022 ballot measuresCertified:
The following measures were certified for the ballot.| South Carolina General Reserve Fund Increase Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 30 | Yes votes: 40 (90.90%) | No votes: 1 (2.27%) | Yes: 13; No: 0 | Yes: 27; No: 1 |
| House: | Required: 82 | Yes votes: 111 (91.74%) | No votes: 0 (0.00%) | Yes: 39; No: 0 | Yes: 72; No: 0 |
| South Carolina Capital Reserve Fund Increase Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 30 | Yes votes: 40 (90.90%) | No votes: 1 (2.27%) | Yes: 13; No: 0 | Yes: 27; No: 1 |
| House: | Required: 82 | Yes votes: 111 (91.74%) | No votes: 0 (0.00%) | Yes: 39; No: 0 | Yes: 72; No: 0 |
See also
|
|
|
|
External links
- South Carolina Legislature Online
- South Carolina General Assembly on Wikipedia
Footnotes
- ↑ LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
- ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Nomination by Political Party," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑ Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed June 30, 2015
- ↑ Laura McKenzie, The People Sentinel, "S.C. legislators begin debate on 2015 issues," January 15, 2015
- ↑ wspa.com, "Legislature Kicks Off With Old Issues On Agenda," January 14, 2014
- ↑ WJBF, "South Carolina Lawmakers Start Legislative Session Vowing To Protect Your Information And Improve Roads," January 8, 2013
- ↑ The State, "Legislative key issues," January 8, 2012
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ The State, "Haley tells court she has right to call special session," June 6, 2011
- ↑ Wltx.com, "SC Supreme Court Rules Against Nikki Haley's Extra Session," June 6, 2011
- ↑ TheSunNews.com, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
- ↑ The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2015," accessed February 5, 2021
- ↑ WLTX, "Where key bills stand as 2019 session ends," May 9, 2019
- ↑ The News & Observer "Special veto session unlikely for South Carolina Legislature," July 1, 2017
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 All About Redistricting, "South Carolina," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
- ↑ The State, "SC Senate OKs new lines, tackles Congressional lines next," June 15, 2011
- ↑ The State, "House approves redistricting plans, Dems plan to sue," June 15, 2011
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 usatoday.com, "S.C. Senate votes to remove Confederate flag," accessed July 6, 2015
- ↑ npr.org, "In Final Vote, South Carolina Senate Moves To Take Down Confederate Flag," July 7, 2015
- ↑ USA Today, "S.C. Statehouse will take down Confederate flag Friday," accessed July 9, 2015
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 NY Times, "South Carolina Governor Signs Law Removing Confederate Flag From Capitol," July 9, 2015
- ↑ NBC News, "'This Is a Hate Crime Nine People Killed at Historic South Carolina Church," June 18, 2015
- ↑ ABC News, "South Carolina Lawmakers Begin Debate Over Confederate Flag," July 6, 2015
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 CNN, "South Carolina lawmakers to debate Confederate flag on Monday," accessed July 6, 2015 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "cnn" defined multiple times with different content
- ↑ postandcourier.com, "Gov. Nikki Haley signs bill, Confederate flag to come down," accessed July 9, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Facebook, "Nikki Haley," July 9, 2015
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 The Nerve, "Legislators Get an Average 32K Per Year," October 6, 2010
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 The Nerve, "Lawmakers Cost Taxpayers Millions," October 5, 2010
- ↑ South Carolina Legislature, "Article III - Legislative Department," accessed October 4, 2021
| Legislatures | Alabama (H, S) · Alaska (H, S) · Arizona (H, S) · Arkansas (H, S) · California (A, S) · Colorado (H, S) · Connecticut (H, S) · Delaware (H, S) · Florida (H, S) · Georgia (H, S) · Hawaii (H, S) · Idaho (H, S) · Illinois (H, S) · Indiana (H, S) · Iowa (H, S) · Kansas (H, S) · Kentucky (H, S) · Louisiana (H, S) · Maine (H, S) · Maryland (H, S) · Massachusetts (H, S) · Michigan (H, S) · Minnesota (H, S) · Mississippi (H, S) · Missouri (H, S) · Montana (H, S) · Nebraska · Nevada (A, S) · New Hampshire (H, S) · New Jersey (GA, S) · New Mexico (H, S) · New York (A, S) · North Carolina (H, S) · North Dakota (H, S) · Ohio (H, S) · Oklahoma (H, S) · Oregon (H, S) · Pennsylvania (H, S) · Rhode Island (H, S) · South Carolina (H, S) · South Dakota (H, S) · Tennessee (H, S) · Texas (H, S) · Utah (H, S) · Vermont (H, S) · Virginia (H, S) · Washington (H, S) · West Virginia (H, S) · Wisconsin (A, S) · Wyoming (H, S) | |
| 2022 | State legislative elections (2022) • State legislative special elections (2022) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2022 Session Dates | |
| 2021 | State legislative elections (2021) • State legislative special elections (2021) • Primary dates and filing requirements • 2021 Session Dates | |
| Historical elections | 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000 | |
| Features of state legislatures | How vacancies are filled in state legislatures • States with a full-time legislature • State legislatures with term limits • Comparison of state legislative salaries • When state legislators assume office after a general election • Population represented by state legislators • State constitutional articles governing state legislatures • State legislative sessions • Resign-to-run law • State legislature candidate requirements by state • Official names of state legislatures • State legislative chambers that use multi-member districts • Factors Affecting Competitiveness in State Legislative Elections | |
| State senates | Length of terms of state senators • State senators • Partisan composition of state senates • State senators sorted by year first elected | |
| State houses | Length of terms of state representatives • State representatives • Partisan composition of state houses • State representatives sorted by year first elected | |
| Leadership positions | President of the Senate • President Pro Tempore • Senate Majority Leader • Senate Minority Leader • House Majority Leader • House Minority Leader • State Speaker of the House |
| About | Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities |
Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy Communications: Alison Graves • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat •
Lauren Nemerovski Contributors: Scott Rasmussen | |
| Editorial | Geoff Pallay, Editor-in-Chief • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Jerrick Adams • Victoria Antram • Dave Beaudoin • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Kate Carsella • Kelly Coyle • Megan Feeney • Nicole Fisher • Juan García de Paredes • Sara Horton • Tyler King • Doug Kronaizl • Amee LaTour • David Luchs • Roneka Matheny • Andrew McNair • Jackie Mitchell • Elisabeth Moore • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Samantha Post • Paul Rader • Ethan Rice • Myj Saintyl • Maddie Sinclair Johnson • Abbey Smith • Janie Valentine • Caitlin Vanden Boom • Joel Williams • Samuel Wonacott • Mercedes Yanora |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2022 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |