reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-110. Residency requirements of chairmen, clerks, and managers of elections.

Each chairman and clerk appointed from among the managers of election for the various polling places must be a resident and registered elector of the respective county in which he is appointed to work or in an adjoining county. All managers of election who are not appointed to serve as chairmen or clerks for the various polling places in the State must be residents and registered electors of the State of South Carolina. Any person qualified to serve as a manager who requests to work in his resident county or an adjoining county must be given priority over qualified persons from other counties for appointment to work in the resident county or an adjoining county. Any person at least sixteen years of age who has completed the training required by Section 7-13-72 and who is not otherwise disqualified by law may be appointed as a poll manager's assistant by the appropriate county board of voter registration and elections. A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old appointed as a poll manager's assistant may not serve as chairman of the managers or clerk in the polling place to which he or she is appointed. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds must serve under supervision of the chairman of the managers of the polling place, and their specific duties must be prescribed by the county board of voter registration and elections. One sixteen- or seventeen-year-old assistant poll manager may be appointed for every two regular poll managers appointed to work in a precinct.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.3:1; 1974 (58) 2367; 2000 Act No. 337, Section 1, eff June 6, 2000; 2001 Act No. 53, Section 1, eff May 29, 2001; 2019 Act No. 54 (H.3035), Section 3, eff May 16, 2019.
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 54, Section 3, inserted the first sentence, rewrote the second sentence, providing that a manager who is not appointed to serve as a chairman or clerk must be a resident and registered elector of the State of South Carolina, inserted the third sentence, and made a nonsubstantive change.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-120. Candidates and their relatives may not be managers or clerks.

(1) It shall be unlawful for a candidate or the spouse, parents, children, brothers or sisters of a candidate for public office to work as a manager or clerk of election at a polling place where such candidate's name appears on the ballot.
(2) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23:400.3:2; 1974 (58) 2209.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-130. Managers' table; guard rail; general arrangement; preservation of right to vote and secrecy of ballot.

The polling places shall be provided with a table for the managers. The polls shall be provided with a guard rail, so that no one except as herein authorized shall approach nearer than five feet to the booths in which the voters are preparing their ballots. The managers at each voting place shall arrange the table, desk or other place upon which the ballot boxes shall be placed so that there shall be no crowding or confusion immediately around the boxes, and suitable means shall be provided to enable each voter to approach the boxes and deposit his ballot without interference or hindrance. The right to vote of each person so entitled and the secrecy of the ballot shall be preserved at all times.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.4; 1952 Code Section 23-344; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-140. Maintenance of order; police powers of managers.

Managers of election are clothed with such police powers as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. The managers shall possess full authority to maintain good order at the polls and to enforce obedience to their lawful commands during an election and during the canvass and counting of the votes. All peace officers shall answer all such calls for help in preserving the peace as may be made by the managers of election.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.5; 1952 Code Section 23-360; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-150. Penalty for failure to assist in maintaining order.

Any person who, when summoned or called upon by peace officers shall fail or refuse to assist him in maintaining the peace and good order at the polls shall be fined in a sum not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisoned not to exceed thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.6; 1952 Code Section 23-361; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-160. Peace officers shall enter polling place only on request or to vote.

No sheriff, deputy sheriff, policeman or other officers shall be allowed to come within the polling place except to vote unless summoned into it by a majority of the managers. On failure of any sheriff, deputy sheriff, policeman or other officer to comply with the provisions of the preceding sentence, the managers of election, or one of them, shall make affidavit against such sheriff, deputy sheriff, policeman or other officer for his arrest.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.7; 1952 Code Section 23-362; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-170. Procedure when managers fail to attend, take charge of, or conduct election.

If all of the managers fail to attend at the same time and place appointed for holding the poll, or shall refuse or fail to act, or if no manager has been appointed for the poll, it is lawful for the voters present at the precinct voting place on that day to appoint from among the qualified voters of the precinct the managers to act as managers in the place and stead of the absent managers, and any one of the managers appointed shall administer the oath to the other managers. But if the duly appointed managers attend in a reasonable time, they shall take charge of and conduct the election.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.8; 1952 Code Section 23-343; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 2010 Act No. 245, Section 5, eff June 2, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-180. Posting proposed constitutional amendments at polling place.

Whenever an amendment to the Constitution of this State shall be voted upon at any election, the board of voter registration and elections of each county in the State shall have such amendment conspicuously posted at each voting precinct in the county upon the day of the election. Such printed amendments shall be furnished to the members of the county board of voter registration and elections by the Secretary of State.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.23; 1952 Code Section 23-321; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-310. Kinds of general election ballots; different colored paper to be used.

In the general elections provided for in Section 7-13-10, there shall be four kinds of ballots called, respectively: "Official Ballot for Presidential Elector"; "Official Ballot for State Offices, United States Senator and Members of Congress"; "Official Ballot for State Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, County, Circuit and Other Offices" and "Official Ballot on Constitutional Amendments or other Propositions Submitted." Each such kind of ballot shall be printed upon different colored paper as shall be provided for by the executive director.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.11; 1952 Code Section 23-308; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2124.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-315. Joint election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor; single vote.

The State Election Commission shall ensure that the Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be elected jointly so that each voter casts a single vote to elect a Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 142 (H.4977), Section 3, eff March 15, 2018.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-325. Use of candidate's given name, derivative of, or nickname on ballot.

The name of a candidate authorized by law to appear on a ballot in a general, special, or primary election in this State for any office may be one of the following or a combination of them:
(1) the candidate's given name;
(2) a derivative of the candidate's given name properly acquired under the common law and used in good faith for honest purposes; or
(3) a nickname which bears no relation to the candidate's given name but which is used in good faith for honest purposes and does not exceed fifteen letters on the ballot.
The derivative name or nickname may not imply professional or social status, an office, or military rank.
A candidate wanting to use a derivative name or a nickname, as permitted by items (2) and (3), respectively, of this section, shall notify the authority responsible by law for conducting the election, in writing, before a deadline for receiving or certifying candidates' names for inclusion on the ballot, the name he wishes to have appear and shall present evidence required by the authority conducting the election that the name indicated is his derivative name or nickname. In deciding whether the name indicated is the candidate's derivative name or nickname, the authority conducting the election shall consider appropriate criteria, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) whether the name is the designation by which the candidate is usually and commonly known in the community in which he resides or called by other persons;
(b) whether the name is the designation by which the candidate calls himself or which he has adopted;
(c) whether the name is the designation under which the candidate transacts private and official business.
The State Election Commission may promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of the section, including, but not limited to, forms to be completed by the candidate and the deadline by which a candidate shall indicate the name he wished to have appear on the ballot.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 180 Section 1, eff June 30, 1987; 1989 Act No. 106, Section 1, eff May 31, 1989.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-330. Form of ballot; instructions.

The arrangement of general election ballots containing the names of candidates for office must conform as nearly as possible to the following plan, with a column or columns added in case of nomination by petition and a blank column added for write-in votes, and must contain the specified instructions there set forth and no other:
GENERAL ELECTION OFFICIAL BALLOT No. __________________ COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA November ___, _____ ______________ Initials of Issuing Officer OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION ____________________ County, South Carolina November ___, _____ Precinct __________
INSTRUCTIONS-To vote a straight party ticket, make a cross (X) in the circle (O) under the name of your party. Nothing further need or should be done. To vote a mixed ticket, or in other words for candidates of different parties or petition candidates, omit making a cross (X) mark in the party circle at the top and make a cross (X) in the voting square [] opposite the name of each candidate on the ballot for whom you wish to vote. If you wish to vote for a candidate not on any ticket, write or place the name of such candidate on your ticket opposite the name of the office. Before leaving the booth, fold the ballot so that the initials of the manager may be seen on the outside of the ballot.
Nomination by Name of Party Name of Party Petition Names of Office 0 0 STATE Governor Governor Governor Governor [] Name of [] Name of [] Name of Candidate Candidate Candidate Lieutenant Lieut. Governor Lieut. Governor Lieut. Governor Governor [] Name of [] Name of [] Name of Candidate Candidate Candidate Secretary of Sec. of State Sec. of State Sec. of State State [] Name of [] Name of [] Name of Candidate Candidate Candidate CONGRES- U.S. Senator U.S. Senator U.S. Senator SIONAL [] Name of [] Name of [] Name of Senator Candidate Candidate Candidate Representative U.S. Repre- U.S. Repre- U.S. Repre- in Congress sentative sentative sentative [] Name of [] Name of [] Name of District Candidate Candidate Candidate
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.13; 1952 Code Section 23-310; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 2000 Act No. 236, Section 5, eff March 7, 2000.
Editor's Note
2022 Act No. 150, Sections 40.A to 40.C, provide as follows:
"SECTION 40.A. Any changes to forms required by this act must be implemented as soon as possible, but not later than May 31, 2022.
"B. Notwithstanding the provisions of this act, a county board of voter registration and elections must honor any request made for an absentee ballot for an election during the 2022 calendar year, provided that the request was: (1) received by the county board of voter registration and elections before 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2022; and (2) made in accordance with the law as of April 21, 2022.
"C. An absentee ballot requested prior to the Governor's approval of this act must not be counted towards the limit on absentee ballot requests as prescribed in Section 7-15-330(B)(4), as added by this act."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-335. Arrangement of names on certain ballots.

The State Election Commission or the local entity responsible for printing general or special election ballots or the arrangement of a ballot by mechanical or electronic means shall conform these ballots to the requirements of Section 7-13-330. The names of candidates in nonpartisan and at-large, multi-seat races must be listed in alphabetical order.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 242, Section 1, eff March 4, 1996.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-340. Printing and distribution of ballots.

All ballots cast in general elections for national, State, county, municipal, district and circuit officers in the towns, counties, districts, circuits, cities and other political divisions shall be printed and distributed at public expense. The printing and distribution of all ballots, other than the county, State Senator, member of the House of Representatives, local or circuit ballots herein designated, the ballots for elections in cities and towns and the ballots for election on bonds or other local measures, shall be arranged and handled by the State Election Commission and shall be paid for by the State. The State Election Commission shall have all necessary ballots for elections for presidential electors, State officers, United States Senators and members of Congress printed, and shall deliver such ballots to the various county board of voter registration and elections at least ten days prior to the date of the election and the county board of voter registration and elections shall place such ballots in ballot boxes for distribution to the election managers of the various precincts.
The printing and distribution of ballots in all State Senate, member of the House of Representatives, county, local and circuit elections shall be arranged and handled by the board of voter registration and elections members of the several counties and shall be paid for by the respective counties, and the board members shall place such ballots in ballot boxes for distribution to the election managers of the various precincts. The printing and distribution of ballots in all municipal elections shall be arranged and handled by the municipal authorities conducting such elections and shall be paid for by the municipalities.
The terms "municipal" and "municipalities" as used in this section shall be construed to include school districts, public service districts and like political subdivisions.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.14; 1952 Code Section 23-311; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2124.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-350. Certification of candidates; verification of qualifications.

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the nominees in a party primary or party convention held under the provisions of this title by any political party certified by the commission for one or more of the offices, national, state, circuit, multi-county district, countywide, less than countywide, or municipal to be voted on in the general election, held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, must be placed upon the appropriate ballot for the election as candidates nominated by the party by the authority charged by law with preparing the ballot if the names of the nominees are certified, in writing, by the political party chairman, vice-chairman, or secretary to the authority, for general elections held under Section 7-13-10, not later than twelve o'clock noon on August fifteenth or, if August fifteenth falls on Saturday or Sunday, not later than twelve o'clock noon on the following Monday; and for a special or municipal general election, by at least twelve o'clock noon on the sixtieth day prior to the date of holding the election, or if the sixtieth day falls on Sunday, by twelve o'clock noon on the following Monday. Political parties nominating candidates by primary or convention must verify the qualifications of those candidates prior to certification to the authority charged by law with preparing the ballot. The written certification required by this section must contain a statement that each candidate certified meets, or will meet by the time of the general election, or as otherwise required by law, the qualifications for the office for which he has filed. Any candidate who does not, or will not by the time of the general election, or as otherwise required by law, meet the qualifications for the office for which he has filed shall not be nominated and certified, and such candidate's name shall not be placed on a general, special, or municipal election ballot.
(B) Candidates for President and Vice President must be certified not later than twelve o'clock noon on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in September to the State Election Commission.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.15; 1952 Code Section 23-312; 1950 (46) 2059; 1958 (50) 1860; 1959 (51) 285; 1966 (54) 2340; 1968 (55) 2316; 1974 (58) 2866; 1976 Act No. 644; 1984 Act No. 263, Section 3, eff January 27, 1984; 1984 Act No. 405, Section 1, eff May 24, 1984; 1986 Act No. 344, Section 1, eff March 7, 1986; 1998 Act No. 412, Section 5, eff June 9, 1998; 2000 Act No. 236, Section 6, eff March 7, 2000; 2000 Act No. 392, Section 3, eff August 1, 2000; 2003 Act No. 3, Section 3, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on January 16, 2003); 2015 Act No. 79 (H.3154), Section 1, eff June 11, 2015.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-352. Date by which statement of candidacy must be filed; verification of candidates' qualifications.

Any candidate for a nonpartisan office, multi-county district, countywide, or less than countywide, including municipal offices, to be voted on at the time of the general election, who qualifies by statement of candidacy shall file the statement of candidacy with the authority responsible by law for conducting the election not later than twelve o'clock noon on August fifteenth or, if August fifteenth falls on Saturday or Sunday, not later than twelve o'clock noon on the following Monday. Each candidate must affirm, in writing, that he meets, or will meet by the time of the election, or as otherwise required by law, the qualifications for the office sought. The authority with whom statements of candidacy are filed must verify that each candidate meets, or will meet by the time of the general election, or as otherwise required by law, the qualifications for the office sought. Any candidate who does not, or will not by the time of the general election, or as otherwise required by law, meet the qualifications for the office sought shall not have his name placed on the ballot.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 344, Section 3, eff March 7, 1986; 1998 Act No. 412, Section 7, eff June 9, 1998; 2000 Act No. 236, Section 8, eff March 7, 2000.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-355. Time for submitting question to election commission for submission as referendum to electors.

No question may be submitted to the qualified electors in a referendum held at the time of a general election unless the question is submitted to the appropriate election commission to be placed on the ballot no later than 12:00 noon on August fifteenth or, if August fifteenth falls on Saturday or Sunday, not later than 12:00 noon on the following business day.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 131 Section 1, eff June 3, 1987; 2000 Act No. 236, Section 9, eff March 7, 2000.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-360. Place on ballot for write-in names.

The ballots shall also contain a place for voters to write in the name of any other person for whom they wish to vote except on ballots for the election of the President and Vice President.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.17; 1952 Code Section 23-314; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1982 Act No. 419, Section 4, eff June 8, 1982.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-370. Death, withdrawal, or disqualification of candidate after name printed on ballot.

If any candidate dies, withdraws or otherwise becomes disqualified after his name has been printed on an official election ballot and if any person is nominated, as authorized by law, to fill such vacancy, the name of the candidate so nominated to fill such vacancy need not be printed upon the ballots, but the name of such candidate so nominated shall be certified by the party executive committee making the nomination to the officer, commissioners or other authority charged with the duty of printing such ballots and a vote cast by a voter for the name of the candidate printed on the ballot who has either died, withdrawn or otherwise become disqualified shall be counted as a vote for the candidate subsequently nominated to fill such vacancy whose name is on file with such officer, board of voter registration and elections, or other authority.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.18; 1952 Code Section 23-315; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-380. Reprinting ballots to delete name of deceased or withdrawn candidate is optional.

After the official ballots have been printed by the proper officer, board of voter registration and elections, or other authority, the death or withdrawal of a candidate whose name is printed on the official ballot does not require the officer, board of voter registration and elections, or other authority to reprint the official ballots, but the officer, board of voter registration and elections, or other authority having jurisdiction over the printing and distribution of the ballots concerned may (1) cause the ballots to be reprinted and be substituted in all respects for the first printed ballots if this substitution is considered feasible and advisable or (2) affix a blank label to cover the name of the deceased or withdrawn candidate on voting systems where possible or appropriate.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.19; 1952 Code Section 23-316; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1996 Act No. 434, Section 8, eff June 4, 1996.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-390. Limitations on withdrawal of candidacy.

After the proper officer, board of voter registration and elections or other authority has been notified of the nomination, as hereinbefore specified, of any candidate for office, he shall not withdraw such nomination unless upon the written request of the candidate so nominated made at least thirty days before the day of election.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.20; 1952 Code Section 23-317; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-400. Form of ballot when questions are submitted.

The form of ballot in an election on the issuance of bonds or in which any other question or issue is submitted to a vote of the people shall be a statement of the question or questions and shall thereafter have the following words:
In favor of the question or issue (as the case may be) []
Opposed to the question or issue (as the case may be) []
The voter shall be instructed in substance, if he wishes to vote in favor of the proposition to place a check or cross mark in the square after the words first above written and if he wishes to vote against the proposition to place a check or cross mark in the square after the words second above written.
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any party from submitting to party members any question or issue.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.21; 1952 Code Section 23-318; 1950 (46) 2059, 2355; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-410. Ballots where both statewide and local constitutional amendments are submitted.

Whenever at any general election proposed amendments to the Constitution of both statewide and local natures are submitted to the qualified electors of the State, the State officer charged with the duty of preparing the ballots shall arrange and classify the proposed amendments on such ballots as follows:
At the top of one ballot shall be printed the words "Statewide Constitutional Amendments." Under this heading there shall be placed the various proposed amendments of a state-wide nature. At the top of a separate ballot shall be printed the words "Local Constitutional Amendments." Under this heading there shall be printed in alphabetical order the names of the various counties of the State affected by any proposed local amendments and under the name of each county the particular amendment affecting such county, or any particular subdivision thereof, or municipality situated therein, but when any proposed amendment relates to two or more counties such proposed amendment shall be listed under a joint heading combined of the names of such counties. The heading shall be printed in larger type than that used in printing the proposed amendment.
Ballots for the state-wide constitutional amendments shall be printed on white paper and ballots for the local constitutional amendments shall be printed on a paper other than white.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.22; 1952 Code Section 23-319; 1950 (46) 2059; 1965 (54) 175; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-420. Oath of printer of ballots and assistants.

The printer with whom the executive director, board of voter registration and elections or other authority, as the case may be, shall contract for the printing of official ballots shall, before the work is commenced, take an oath before the Executive Director of the State Election Commission or the chairman of the commissioners or other authority, as the case may be, who may administer such oath, to the following effect: "I, __________, do solemnly swear that I will print (here insert number) ballots according to the instructions of the __________ of __________; that I will not print or permit to be printed, directly or indirectly, more than the above number; that I will at once destroy all imperfect and perfect impressions other than those required to be delivered to the electoral board; that as soon as said number of ballots is printed I will distribute the type used for such work and that I will not communicate to anyone whomsoever, in any manner whatsoever, the size, style or contents of such ballots."
The above oath shall be reduced to writing and signed by the person taking it and also a similar affidavit shall be required of any employee or other person engaged upon the work or who shall have access to it. Any intentional violation of such oath shall constitute the crime of perjury. Any other violation of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days in jail.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit the executive director, the commissioners or other authority from publishing or otherwise disclosing the contents, style and size of ballots required to be printed by them which they are respectively authorized and empowered to publish or otherwise disclose.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.24; 1952 Code Section 23-320; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1968 (55) 2316.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-430. Ballots provided where voting machines not used; substitute ballots; penalties for failure to provide; failsafe ballots.

(A) There must be provided for each voting place where voting machines are not used as many ballots as are equal to one hundred ten percent of the registered qualified voters at the voting place. There must be provided for each voting place where voting machines are used a number of ballots not to exceed ten percent of the registered qualified voters at the voting place. The authority responsible for conducting an election must provide to each poll manager the appropriate number of ballots according to the provisions of this section.
(B) When a sufficient number of official ballots are not available for all qualified electors present at the polling place to vote, the managers of election without undue delay shall provide ballots made as nearly as possible in the form of the official ballot to those electors for whom official ballots are unavailable, and for all purposes of the election laws of this State these ballots are the same as official ballots. A manager of election who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(C) There must be provided for each voting place a number of failsafe ballots, or ballots containing only the races for federal, statewide, countywide, and municipalwide offices, not to exceed five percent of the registered qualified voters at the voting place. The authority responsible for conducting an election must provide to each poll manager the appropriate number of ballots according to the provisions of this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.25; 1952 Code Section 23-347; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1990 Act No. 331, Section 1, eff February 20, 1990; 2000 Act No; 392, Section 4, eff August 1, 2000.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-440. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Voting machine ballots; arrangement of nominations, had the following history: 1962 Code Section 23-400.26; 1966 (54) 2340. Repealed by 2022 Act No. 150, Section 17, eff May 13, 2022.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-450. Use of voting machines does not prohibit use of separate ballots on certain questions.

The use of voting machines in an election shall not prohibit the use of a separate ballot for constitutional amendments and other public measures.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.27; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-460. Use of paper ballots.

(A) In special elections to fill vacancies in office, if the use of voting machines is not practicable or cost efficient, the county election officials may use paper ballots in these elections.
(B) If paper ballots are used, the procedure for their use and the counting of these ballots must be in accordance with the provisions of law governing the use of paper ballots, mutatis mutandis.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 367, Section 1, eff May 29, 1996.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-611. Arrangement of official county and state primary ballots.

The arrangement of each "Official County Ballot" for each primary, containing the names of candidates for office, must conform as nearly as practicable to the following plan and contain specified instructions and no others:
OFFICIAL COUNTY BALLOT, ____________________ PRIMARY (NAME OF PARTY) __________________ COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA NO: ______ __________________________ Initials of Issuing Officer __________________________, 19______ (DATE OF ELECTION) __________________________ (NAME OF PRECINCT) OFFICIAL COUNTY BALLOT, ____________________ PRIMARY (NAME OF PARTY) __________________ COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA __________________________, 19______ (DATE OF ELECTION) __________________________ (NAME OF PRECINCT) INSTRUCTIONS - Make a cross (X) in the voting square [] opposite the name of each candidate on the ballot for whom you wish to vote. Before leaving the booth, fold the ballot so that the initials of the manager may be seen on the outside. You may vote for one, less than one, but not more than one candidate. SHERIFF ONE SEAT TO FILL (Example) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) You may vote for three, less than three, but not more than three candidates. COUNTY COUNCIL THREE SEATS TO FILL (Example) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE) [] (NAME OF CANDIDATE)
Each "Official State Ballot" similarly must conform to the plan set forth in this section.
The State Election Commission is hereby empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations under Chapter 23 of Title 1 as are necessary for the arrangement of the official county ballot.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 253, Section 7, eff February 19, 1992.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-720. Oath of voter.

In the event the oath is not printed at the top of the poll list as provided for in Section 7-13-710, the managers of election shall administer to each person offering to vote an oath that he is qualified to vote at this election, according to the laws and Constitution of this State, and that he has not voted during this election.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.52; 1952 Code Section 23-346; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-730. Delivery and marking of ballot; deposit into ballot box.

If the managers are reasonably sure that the person is entitled to vote, they shall then deliver a ballot to such person, and thereupon the voter shall immediately go to the booth and mark his ballot preparatory to depositing it in the ballot box. After the voter has marked his ballot, he shall fold it so as to leave the stub remaining attached thereto visible in such position that it can be detached without unfolding. When the ballot is returned, one of the managers shall detach and retain the stub, and the voter shall then deposit his folded ballot in the box.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.53; 1952 Code Sections 23-323, 23-381; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-740. Number and construction of booths; only one voter in booth at a time; speaking to voter prohibited.

There must be provided at each polling precinct at least one booth. At least one booth must be provided for each two hundred and fifty registered electors or a major fraction thereof of the precinct. The booths must be made of wood, sheet metal, or other suitable substance; must not be less than thirty-two inches wide, thirty-two inches deep, and six feet six inches high; must have a curtain hanging from the top in front to within three feet of the floor; and must have a suitable shelf on which the voter can prepare his ballot. In primary, general, and special elections, the booths must be provided by the board of voter registration and elections. Only one voter shall be allowed to enter a booth at a time, and no one except as provided herein is allowed to speak to a voter while in the booth preparing his ballot.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.54; 1952 Code Section 23-348; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1996 Act No. 434, Section 9, eff June 4, 1996.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-760. Time when voter must leave booth and voting place; voter must be alone in booth and must not talk while voting.

No voter, while receiving, preparing and casting his ballot, shall occupy a booth or compartment for a longer time than five minutes. No voter shall be allowed to occupy a booth or compartment already occupied by another, nor to speak or converse with anyone, except as herein provided, while in the booth. After having voted, or declined or failed to vote within five minutes, the voter shall immediately withdraw from the voting place and shall not enter the polling place again during the election.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.55; 1952 Code Section 23-349; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-770. Unauthorized persons within guard rails; voters requiring assistance; minor children of qualified elector accompanying parent into booth.

(A) A person other than a voter preparing his ballot is not allowed within the guard rail, except as provided in this section. A voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write shall make the fact known to the managers. The chairman of the managers shall appoint one of the managers and a person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter's union to assist the voter in preparing his ballot. After the voter's ballot has been prepared, the person chosen by the voter to assist him immediately shall leave the vicinity of the guard rail. Instead of the above assistance, a person may have a member of his family or, in the case of a blind voter, a person of his choosing render him assistance in voting without the presence of a manager. The term "family" means spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.
(B) Minor children of a qualified elector may accompany the qualified elector in the voting booth while he is casting his ballot. The qualified elector shall attest that the persons accompanying him are the minor children of the elector.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.56; 1952 Code Section 23-350; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1970 (56) 1913; 1984 Act No. 445, eff June 15, 1984; 2008 Act No; 205, Section 1, eff May 14, 2008.
Editor's Note
NOTE: The provisions of Section 7-13-770 have not been pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice and cannot be put into effect. The 1982 Amendment to the Voting Rights Act would apply and must be used in lieu of this section.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was further amended in 1982, effective January 1, 1984, to provide that:
"Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter's choice other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of that voter's union."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-771. Voting by handicapped and elderly electors who cannot enter the polling place or cannot stand in line to vote.

(A) Any elector who, because of physical handicap or age, cannot enter the polling place in the precinct in which he is registered to vote, or is unable to stand in line to vote, may vote outside that polling place in the closest available parking area utilizing the vehicle in which he has been driven, or has driven to the polls.
(B) When the managers are informed that a handicapped or elderly voter cannot enter the polling place or cannot stand in line to vote, the voter's identification required by Section 7-13-710 must be presented to the managers who must verify that the voter is eligible to vote. Upon verification of the voter's eligibility, two managers shall take the poll list and the voter's ballot to the voter in his vehicle outside the polling place. The managers shall notify any poll watchers present who, at their discretion, may accompany the managers as observers. Where the polling place uses machines for the purposes of voting, the poll managers must use the ballots provided under Sections 7-13-1470 or 7-13-1870 for those voters who cannot enter the polling place.
(C) No person other than the voter is permitted in the vehicle in which the voter is casting his ballot unless the voter is entitled to assistance as provided in Section 7-13-770.
(D) After the voter has voted his ballot, he must fold it so that the secrecy of the ballot is preserved and return it to the managers waiting outside the vehicle. The managers shall carry the ballot to the ballot box, taking care not to violate the secrecy of the ballot, and after detaching the stub, deposit the ballot in the ballot box.
HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 407, Section 1, eff May 12, 1986.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-780. Designation of voters who may receive assistance.

Only those persons who are unable to read or write or who are physically unable or incapacitated from preparing a ballot or voting shall be entitled to receive assistance of any kind in voting.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.57; 1952 Code Section 23-351; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-790. Substitute for marred or defaced ballot.

If a voter shall mar or deface his ballot, he may obtain one additional ballot upon returning to the managers in charge of the ballots the ballot so marred or defaced with the stub attached. The manager in charge of the poll list shall change the number of the ballot on the poll list and place the marred or defaced ballot in a file. No voter shall be given a second ballot until he has returned the first one with the stub attached.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.58; 1952 Code Section 23-352; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-800. Write-ins to be in handwriting of voter or authorized manager.

In casting a write-in ballot, the voter shall cast it in his own handwriting or in the handwriting of a duly authorized manager who is aiding the voter in casting his ballot when assistance is authorized by this Title.
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of electronic methods of casting write-in ballots or the use of voting machines which do not employ paper and handwriting methods or technology for casting write-in ballots.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.59; 1952 Code Section 23-324; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1995 Act No. 145, Part II, Section 59B, eff June 29, 1995.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 7 - Elections › Chapter 13 - Conduct Of Elections › Section 7-13-810. Prevention of illegal voting or taking too much time; challenging voters.

The managers of election shall prevent any person from voting when they have good reason to believe the person has already voted. They shall refuse to allow a person to vote who is not a registered elector or who has become disqualified for any cause to vote in the voting precinct. They may also prevent any voter from consuming more than five minutes in voting, but no manager may examine, read, or handle the ballot being voted or about to be voted by a voter or interfere in any way with the voting of a voter otherwise than provided in this section. It is the duty of the managers of election to, and any elector or qualified watcher may, challenge the vote of a person who may be known or suspected not to be a qualified voter. However, the challenges by persons other than a manager must be addressed to the manager and not directly to the voter. The manager shall then present the challenge to the voter and act in accordance with the provisions provided for in this section. All challenges must be made before the time a voter deposits a paper ballot in a ballot box or casts his vote in a voting machine, and no challenge may be considered after that time. However, challenges may be made at any time before the opening of return-addressed envelopes and the removal of "Ballot Herein" envelopes from them as to absentee voters. Nothing contained from them affects the right of an elector or qualified watcher to challenge the vote of a person which is fraudulent or when the challenge is based on evidence discovered after the vote is cast. A candidate may protest an election in which he is a candidate pursuant to Section 7-17-30 when the protest is based in whole or in part on evidence discovered after the election. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, after-discovered evidence of voters who have voted in a precinct or for a district office other than the one in which they are entitled by law to vote.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-400.60; 1952 Code Section 23-353; 1950 (46) 2059; 1966 (54) 2340; 1974 (58) 2641; 1990 Act No. 357, Section 4, eff March 19, 1990; 1996 Act No. 466, Section 9, eff August 21, 1996.