South Carolina State Senate
| South Carolina State Senate | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Party control: | Republican |
| Session start: | January 9, 2024 |
| Session end: | May 9, 2024 |
| Term length: | 4 years |
| Term limits: | None |
| Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant |
| Salary: | $10,400/year + per diem |
| Members | |
| Total: | 46 |
| Democrats: | 14 |
| Republicans: | 30 |
| Other: | 1 |
| Vacancies: | 1 |
| Leadership | |
| President: | Thomas Alexander (R) |
| Maj. Leader: | Shane Massey (R) |
| Min. Leader: | Brad Hutto (D) |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 3, 2020 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
The South Carolina State Senate is the upper chamber of the South Carolina State Legislature. Alongside the South Carolina House of Representatives, 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 State Senate 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 State Senate meets in the South Carolina State House in Columbia.
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 State Senate.
- Which party controls the chamber
- The chamber's current membership
- Partisan control of the chamber over time
- Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
- A district
- How redistricting works in the state
- Legislation currently under consideration
- Legislative session dates
- Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
- A list of committees
Party control
Current partisan control
The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the South Carolina State Senate as of January 2024:
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 14 | |
| Republican Party | 30 | |
| Other | 1 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 46 | |
Members
Leadership and members
- Senate president: Thomas Alexander (R)
- Majority leader: Shane Massey (R)
- Minority leader: Brad Hutto (D)
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $10,400/year | $176/day |
Swearing in dates
South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[1]
Membership qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the South Carolina State Senate a candidate must be:[2]
- A U.S. citizen at the time of filing
- 25 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 State Senate in 2000. In 2020, they won a 30-16 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina 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
| Party | '92 | '96 | '00 | '04 | '08 | '12 | '16 | '20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 30 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| Republicans | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 |
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 senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. South Carolina holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2024
Elections for the South Carolina State Senate 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.
2020
Elections 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.
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-19 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 30-16 majority.
| South Carolina State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 27 | 30 | |
| Total | 46 | 46 | |
2016
Elections 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. All 46 seats in the South Carolina State Senate were up for election in 2016.
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 28-18 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
| South Carolina State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 18 | 18 | |
| Republican Party | 28 | 28 | |
| Total | 46 | 46 | |
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. A total of 46 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-19 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 28-18 majority.
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2008Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 10, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $11,006,391. The top 10 contributors were:[3]
2004Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 8, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $10,207,188. The top 10 contributors were:[4]
2000Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $6,670,088. The top 10 contributors were:[5]
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Vacancies
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[7][8]
See sources: South Carolina Const. Art. III, § 25 and South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-13-190
District map
The state of South Carolina has 46 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.
Use the interactive map below to find your district.
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in South Carolina
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.[9]
District map after 2020 redistricting
This map took effect for South Carolina's 2022 legislative elections.
2010
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.[10][11] 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.[12][13]
Sessions
Legislation
The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the South Carolina State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House 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
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on May 11, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on May 12, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 13, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 25, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 21, 2019. 2018In 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. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 11, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 6, 2017. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4. The legislature had a veto session from June 16 to July 9.[14] 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.[15] 2014
In 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.[16] 2013
In 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.[17] 2012
In 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.[18] 2011
In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 through June 2.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21] The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 to July 1.[22] The legislature re-convened July 26.[23] 2010
In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to June 3. |
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.[24] 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 Senate 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, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.
Veto overrides
- 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.[25] |
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 
|
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows[26]
- 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.[27]
- 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.[26]
Committees
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 State Senate has 14 standing committees:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Corrections and Penology Committee
- Education Committee
- Family and Veterans' Services Committee
- Finance Committee
- Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee
- Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
- Medical Affairs Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Legislative Oversight Committee
- Senate Rules Committee
- Transportation Committee
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:
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
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
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
See also
| Elections | South Carolina State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ South Carolina Constitution, "Article III, Section 10," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidates," accessed February 3, 2023
- ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2008 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2004 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "South Carolina 2000 Candidates," accessed July 31, 2013
- ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (A)-(B))
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Code," accessed February 17, 2021 (Statute 7-13-190 (B))
- ↑ South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina Constitution," accessed February 17, 2021 (Article 3, Section 25)
- ↑ LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
- ↑ WLTX "Federal Judges Uphold South Carolina's New District Lines," March 9, 2012
- ↑ WMBF "Hembree responds to dismissal of SC redistricting lawsuit," March 12, 2012
- ↑ WMBF, "US Supreme Court upholds SC redistricting lines," October 1, 2012
- ↑ Carolina Live, "APNewsBreak: 6 voters appeal SC redistricting plan," March 19, 2012
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
- ↑ The News & Observer "Special veto session unlikely for South Carolina Legislature," July 1, 2017
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ WLTX, "Where key bills stand as 2019 session ends," May 9, 2019
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