South Carolina House of Representatives

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South Carolina House of
Representatives
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Republican
Session start:   January 9, 2024
Session end:   May 9, 2024
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   None
Redistricting:  Legislature-dominant
Salary:   $10,400/year + per diem
Members
Total:  124
Democrats:  35
Republicans:  88
Other:  0
Vacancies:  1
Leadership
Speaker:   G. Murrell Smith Jr. (R)
Maj. Leader:   Davey Hiott (R)
Min. Leader:   James Rutherford (D)
Elections
Last election:  November 8, 2022
Next election:  November 5, 2024

The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the South Carolina State Legislature. Alongside the South Carolina State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the South Carolina state government and works alongside the governor of South Carolina to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the South Carolina House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The South Carolina House of Representatives meets in the South Carolina State House in Columbia.

  • All 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 80-43 (with one vacancy) to 88-36.
  • All 124 House seats were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 78-45 (with one vacancy) to 81-43.
  • South Carolina has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the South Carolina House of Representatives.

    Party control

    Current partisan control

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the South Carolina House of Representatives as of January 2024:

    Party As of January 2024
         Democratic Party 35
         Republican Party 88
         Other 0
         Vacancies 1
    Total 124

    Members

    Leadership

    The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body.

    Leadership and members


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 1 Bill Whitmire Republican 2002
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 2 Bill Sandifer III Republican 1994
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 3 Jerry Carter Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 4 Davey Hiott Republican 2004
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 5 Neal Collins Republican 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 6 April Cromer Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 7 Jay West Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 8 Don Chapman Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 9 Anne Thayer Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 10 Thomas Beach Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 11 Craig Gagnon Republican 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 12 Daniel Gibson Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 13 John McCravy Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 14 Stewart Jones Republican 2019
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 15 JA Moore Democratic November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 16 Mark Willis Republican 2008
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 17 Mike Burns Republican March 12, 2013
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 18 Alan Morgan Republican June 15, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 19 Patrick Haddon Republican 2019
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 20 Adam Morgan Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 21 Bobby Cox Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 22 Jason Elliott Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 23 Chandra Dillard Democratic 2008
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 24 Bruce Bannister Republican 2004
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 25 Wendell Jones Democratic November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 26 R. Raye Felder Republican 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 27 David Vaughan Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 28 Ashley Trantham Republican 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 29 Dennis Moss Republican 2008
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 30 Brian Lawson Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 31 Rosalyn Henderson Myers Democratic September 26, 2017
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 32 Max Hyde Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 33 Travis Moore Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 34 Roger Nutt Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 35 Bill Chumley Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 36 Robert Harris Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 37 Steven Long Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 38 Josiah Magnuson Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 39 Cal Forrest Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 40 Joe White Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 41 Annie McDaniel Democratic November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 42 Doug Gilliam Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 43 Randy Ligon Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 44 Mike Neese Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 45 Brandon Newton Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 46 Heath Sessions Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 47 Tommy Pope Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 48 Brandon Guffey Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 49 John King Democratic 2008
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 50 Will Wheeler Democratic November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 51 J. David Weeks Democratic 2000
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 52 Ben Connell Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 53 Richie Yow Republican 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 54 Patricia Henegan Democratic 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 55 Jackie Hayes Democratic 1998
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 56 Tim McGinnis Republican 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 57 Lucas Atkinson Democratic November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 58 Jeff Johnson Republican 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 59 Terry Alexander Democratic 2006
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 60 Phillip Lowe Republican 2006
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 61 Carla Schuessler Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 62 Robert Williams Democratic 2006
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 63 Jay Jordan Republican April 1, 2015
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 64 Fawn Pedalino Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 65 Cody Mitchell Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 66 David O'Neal Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 67 G. Murrell Smith Jr. Republican 2000
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 68 Heather Ammons Crawford Republican 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 69 Chris Wooten Republican 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 70 Jermaine Johnson Democratic November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 71 Nathan Ballentine Republican 2005
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 72 Seth Rose Democratic November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 73 Christopher Hart Democratic 2006
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 74 James Rutherford Democratic 1998
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 75 Heather Bauer Democratic November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 76 Leon Howard Democratic 1994
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 77 Kambrell Garvin Democratic November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 78 Beth Bernstein Democratic 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 79 Ivory Thigpen Democratic November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 80 Kathy Landing Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 81 Bart Blackwell Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 82 William Clyburn Sr. Democratic 1994
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 83 Bill Hixon Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 84 Melissa Oremus Republican 2019
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 85 Jay Kilmartin Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 86 Bill Taylor Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 87 Paula Rawl Calhoon Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 88 RJ May Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 89 Micah Caskey Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 90 Justin Bamberg Democratic 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 91 Lonnie Hosey Democratic 1998
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 92 Brandon Cox Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 93 Russell L. Ott Democratic October 29, 2013
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 94 Gil Gatch Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 95 Gilda Cobb-Hunter Democratic November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 96 D. Ryan McCabe Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 97 Robby Robbins Republican May 17, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 98 Chris Murphy Republican 2010
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 99 Mark Smith Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 100 Sylleste Davis Republican June 13, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 101 Roger Kirby Democratic November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 102 Joseph Jefferson Jr. Democratic 2004
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 103 Carl Anderson Democratic 2004
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 104 William Bailey Republican November 12, 2018
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 105 Kevin J. Hardee Republican 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 106 Val Guest Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 107 Case Brittain Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 108 Lee Hewitt Republican November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 109 Vacant
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 110 Tom Hartnett Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 111 Wendell Gilliard Democratic 2008
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 112 Joe Bustos Republican November 9, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 113 Marvin Pendarvis Democratic 2017
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 114 Gary Brewer Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 115 Spencer Wetmore Democratic September 15, 2020
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 116 Matthew Leber Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 117 Jordan Pace Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 118 Bill Herbkersman Republican 2002
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 119 Leonidas Stavrinakis Democratic 2006
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 120 Weston Newton Republican 2012
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 121 Michael Rivers Democratic November 14, 2016
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 122 Bill Hager Republican November 14, 2022
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 123 Jeff Bradley Republican 2014
    South Carolina House of Representatives District 124 Shannon Erickson Republican 2006


    Salaries

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislative salaries, 2023
    SalaryPer diem
    $10,400/year$176/day

    Swearing in dates

    See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

    South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[1]

    Membership qualifications

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    To be eligible to serve in the South Carolina House of Representatives, a candidate must be:[2]

    • A U.S. citizen at the time of filing
    • 21 years old at the filing deadline time
    • A resident of the district at the filing deadline time

    Historical party control

    Republicans won control of the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1994. In 2022, they won an 88-36 majority.

    The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. 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: 1992-2022

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20 '22
    Democrats 73 58 53 59 54 51 50 51 53 48 46 47 44 44 43 36
    Republicans 50 62 70 64 70 73 74 73 71 75 78 77 80 80 81 88

    Trifecta history

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, South Carolina was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: None
    • Republican trifecta: 2003-2023
    • Divided government: 1992-2002

    South Carolina Party Control: 1992-2024
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-two years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
    Governor R R R R R R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    Senate D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    House D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

    Elections

    Elections by year

    South Carolina state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. South Carolina holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2024

    See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024

    Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is June 11, 2024, and a primary runoff is June 25, 2024. The filing deadline is April 1, 2024.

    2022

    See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

    Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was 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.

    In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the state House from 80-43 with one vacancy to 88-36.

    South Carolina House of Representatives
    Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
         Democratic Party 43 36
         Republican Party 80 88
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 124 124

    2020

    See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 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.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 78-45 majority with one vacancy. The vacant seat was previously held by a Republican. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them an 81-43 majority.

    South Carolina State House
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 45 43
         Republican Party 78 81
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 124 124

    2018

    See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2018

    Elections 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.[3]

    In the 2018 elections, there was no change to the partisan balance of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

    South Carolina House of Representatives
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 44 44
         Republican Party 80 80
    Total 124 124

    2016

    See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 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. All 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 77-46 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 80-44 majority.

    South Carolina House of Representatives
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 46 44
         Republican Party 77 80
         Vacancy 1 0
    Total 124 124

    Vacancies

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in the South Carolina Legislature, the presiding officer of the chamber in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If candidates plan to seek the nomination through a political party primary or a political party convention, the filing period begins on the third Friday after the vacancy occurs. The qualifying deadline is eight days after the filing period opens.[10]

    If a candidate plans to seek the nomination via petition, all signatures must be submitted to the appropriate filing officer no later than 60 days before the election. All signatures must be verified by the filing officer no later than 45 days before the election.[11]

    A primary election must be held on the eleventh Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If necessary, a primary runoff must be held on the thirteenth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. The special election is held on the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs is less than 60 days prior to the general election, the special election must be held on the same day as the general election.[11][12]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: South Carolina Const. Art. III, § 25 and South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-13-190

    District map

    See also: South Carolina state legislative districts

    The state of South Carolina has 124 state House districts. Each district elects one representative.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.



    Redistricting

    See also: Redistricting in South Carolina

    In South Carolina, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[13]

    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.[13]

    2020

    See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2020 census

    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.[14]

    District map after 2020 redistricting

    This map took effect for South Carolina's 2022 legislative elections.

    SC House map.jpg

    2010

    See also: Redistricting in South Carolina after the 2010 census

    The 2010 census indicated South Carolina's population grew by 15.3 percent to 4.6 million, representing the tenth fastest growth rate in the country from 2000 to 2010.

    On June 15, 2011, both chambers passed Senate-originated maps, and the U.S. Department of Justice cleared the maps in November 2011. The maps were contested in court, and a panel of federal judges upheld South Carolina's new congressional and state legislative districts on March 9, 2012, dismissing the lawsuit that claimed the lines were drawn to weaken African-American voters in the state.[15][16] On March 19, 2012, six voters appealed the ruling up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, on October 1, 2012, ruled that the lines were fair and nondiscriminatory.[17][18]

    Sessions

    Legislation

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the South Carolina House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the House to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in South Carolina by year

    2024

    See also: 2024 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

    In 2024, the legislature is scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024.

    2023

    See also: 2023 South Carolina legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

    In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on May 11, 2023.



    About legislative sessions in South Carolina

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[29] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article III of the South Carolina Constitution establishes when the South Carolina State Legislature, of which the House of Representatives is a part, 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.

    Legislative roles and procedures

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

    Veto overrides

    Veto Override Graphic-No party.png

    See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

    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.[30]

    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."

    Role in state budget

    See also: South Carolina state budget and finances
    South Carolina on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows[31]

    1. In August of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
    2. Between September and October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
    3. Budget hearings are held with state agencies in October.
    4. In January, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature.
    5. 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.[32]
    6. The legislature adopts a budget in May. The fiscal year begins July 1.


    South Carolina is one of 43 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.[31]

    Committees

    See also: List of committees in South Carolina state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The South Carolina House of Representatives has 12 standing committees:


    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 Carolina

    The South Carolina Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. South Carolina requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

    Legislature

    See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

    A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the South Carolina State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the South Carolina House of Representatives and 30 votes in the South Carolina State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

    In South Carolina, the Legislature needs to approve a constitutional amendment for a second time after voters approve the amendment. This second vote requires a simple majority in the House and Senate.

    Convention

    See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

    According to Section 3 of Article XVI of the South Carolina Constitution, a constitutional convention can be held if two-thirds of the members of both houses of the South Carolina State Legislature vote to put the question on the ballot.



    2025 measures:

    See also: 2025 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

    No measures to list

    2024 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

    See also: South Carolina 2024 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list


    Potential:

    The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.

    No measures to list

    Voter guides

    2020 State Cannabis Voter Guides

    See also

    Elections South Carolina State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    South Carolina State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. South Carolina Legislature, "Article III - Legislative Department," accessed October 4, 2021
    2. South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidates," accessed February 3, 2023
    3. South Carolina Election Commission, "Nomination by Political Party," accessed September 4, 2017
    4. Follow the Money, "South Carolina House 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed July 31, 2013
    5. Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2008 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
    6. Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2006 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
    7. Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2004 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
    8. Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2002 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
    9. Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2000 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
    10. South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (A)-(B))
    11. 11.0 11.1 South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (B))
    12. South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Constitution," accessed February 17, 2021 (Article 3, Section 25)
    13. 13.0 13.1 All About Redistricting, "South Carolina," accessed May 8, 2015
    14. LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
    15. WLTX "Federal Judges Uphold South Carolina's New District Lines," March 9, 2012
    16. WMBF "Hembree responds to dismissal of SC redistricting lawsuit," March 12, 2012
    17. WMBF, "US Supreme Court upholds SC redistricting lines," October 1, 2012
    18. Carolina Live, "APNewsBreak: 6 voters appeal SC redistricting plan," March 19, 2012
    19. Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed June 30, 2015
    20. Laura McKenzie, The People Sentinel, "S.C. legislators begin debate on 2015 issues," January 15, 2015
    21. wspa.com, "Legislature Kicks Off With Old Issues On Agenda," January 14, 2014
    22. WJBF, "South Carolina Lawmakers Start Legislative Session Vowing To Protect Your Information And Improve Roads," January 8, 2013
    23. The State, "Legislative key issues," January 8, 2012
    24. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
    25. The State, "Haley tells court she has right to call special session," June 6, 2011
    26. Wltx.com, "SC Supreme Court Rules Against Nikki Haley's Extra Session," June 6, 2011
    27. TheSunNews.com, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
    28. The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
    29. Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
    30. The News & Observer "Special veto session unlikely for South Carolina Legislature," July 1, 2017
    31. 31.0 31.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
    32. WLTX, "Where key bills stand as 2019 session ends," May 9, 2019