School bond and tax elections in South Carolina
| Bond elections |
|---|
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| Property tax elections |
| 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 2010 • 2009 • 2008 All years and states |
| See also |
| State comparisons How voting works Approval rates |
School bond and tax elections in South Carolina happen under two circumstances:
- To issue new bonds.
- To exceed the state mandated 15-mill levy limit.
Laws affecting school finance
South Carolina bond issue law
South Carolina, like Nevada structures its school boards at the county level and not by municipality.[1] The County Board of Education is required to have a ballot question for the voters of the school district to issue new bonds under South Carolina Law.[2][3]
Under the law, all bonds must be sold at normal par value and have a mandatory, maximum maturity date of 25 years.[4] The first maturity for the bonds is three years after the date that the bonds were issued.
School bonds in South Carolina can be used for capital improvements, which include building new facilities, improving existing facilities and facility acquisition.[5]
South Carolina levy law
Under South Carolina law, school districts are required to hold levy elections if a school district exceeds the 15-mill limit.[6] South Carolina is one of three states that expresses levy formulas using the basic mill rate formula over a lengthy formula.
Rules of election, conduct, etc
Authority conducting elections
The local County elections commission is responsible for holding school bond elections.[7]
Election dates
There are no restrictions in South Carolina on when an election involving school bonds or school levy caps can be held.[8] However, a bill introduced in the S.C. House in January 2011, H. 3186,[9] would require that any school bond referendum or special election to be held on a primary or general election day.[10]
Needed majority
Only a simple majority is required to pass a ballot measure involving bond issues or exceeding the levy limit.[11]
Special elections
All referendums in South Carolina, regardless when its scheduled, are considered to be special elections.[12]
Wording of measures
There are no restrictions under South Carolina law for how ballot questions should be worded, but a explanation of the ballot question must be submitted when disclosing the question to the media by the 45-day media release mandate.[13]
Required notice of bond election
A minimum of 15 days public notice is required for bond elections in South Carolina while 14 days is required for levy elections.[14][15] There is no mandatory elapse requirement for school districts in South Carolina from when they approve a resolution to the date of the election.
However, the language of the ballot question must be submitted to the local media 45 days before the election.[16]
See also
- Voting on school bond and tax measures
- Where to find information about local school bond and tax elections
- School bond election
- Approval rates of local school bond and tax elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-20 (4))
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-30 (1)(3))
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-140)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-70)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-20 (3))
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 59-73-40)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Election Law (Referenced Statute 7-13-72)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Bond Issue Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-40)
- ↑ House Resolution 3186, S.C. House of Representatives, 2010-11 (dead link)
- ↑ Bills Seek to Boost FOIA, Cut Special Elections, The Nerve, January 28, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 59-73-60)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Election Law (Referenced Statute 7-1-20)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 7-1-100)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 59-73-40)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 59-71-60)
- ↑ "South Carolina State House" South Carolina Lev Law (Referenced Statute 7-1-100)
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