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There are 170 seats in the South Carolina State Legislature. All 124 seats of the South Carolina House of Representatives are up for election every two years. Elections for the 46 districts of the South Carolina State Senate are every four years.

Chambers[edit]

Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:

Senate[edit]

The South Carolina Senate is the upper house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 46 senators elected from single member districts for four-year terms at the same time as United States Presidential elections.

As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state senators represented an average of 111,407 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 100,999 residents.

Qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the South Carolina State Senate a candidate must be:^[1]

• 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

Vacancies[edit]

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.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[3][4]

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

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

Districts[edit]

These are links to every district in the South Carolina State Senate.

House[edit]

The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time US Congressional elections. Unlike many legislatures, seating on the floor is not divided by party, but is arranged by county delegation.

As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state representatives represented an average of 41,328 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 37,468 residents.

Qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the South Carolina House of Representatives, a candidate must be:^[6]

• 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

Vacancies[edit]

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.^[7]

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.^[3]

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.^[3][8]

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

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

Districts[edit]

These are links to every district in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Redistricting[edit]

In South Carolina, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[10]

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.^[10]

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.^[11]

Senate elections[edit]

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[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the South Carolina State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 11, 2024, and the primary runoff was June 25, 2024. The filing deadline was April 1, 2024.

2020[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 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.

2016[edit]

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 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.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2012[edit] See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2012 Elections 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. South Carolina State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 19 18      Republican Party 27 28 Total 46 46 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, South Carolina State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 10 Floyd Nicholson 7.1% 37,852 Jennings McAbee, Sr. District 23 Katrina Shealy 7.4% 32,735 John Knotts District 35 Thomas McElveen 9.7% 40,997 Tony Barwick District 41 Paul Thurmond 11.6% 49,968 Paul Tinkler District 20 John Courson 21% 42,923 Robert Rikard District 26 Nikki Setzler 21% 36,177 Deedee Vaughters District 2 Larry Martin 29.1% 37,285 Rex Rice District 12 Lee Bright 29.1% 44,583 Henri Thompson District 7 Karl Allen 31% 33,651 Jane Kizer District 28 Greg Hembree 32.4% 39,499 Butch Johnson 2008[edit] See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2008 Elections 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:[12] 2008 Donors, South Carolina State Senate Donor Amount Elliott, Dick F $402,000 Cromer, Ronnie W $175,000 South Carolina Bank & Trust $101,134 Anderson, Greg $100,000 Davis, Thomas C $95,566 Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina $91,925 Rose, Mike $85,667 Peeler, Harvey $85,500 Senate Democratic Caucus Of South Carolina $65,000 Scana Corp $59,000 2004[edit] See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2004 Elections 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:[13] 2004 Donors, South Carolina State Senate Donor Amount Norwood, Timothy F $648,935 Cromer, Ronnie W $236,000 Bryant, Kevin L $143,848 Kuhn, John R $140,783 Cmte To Elect Chuck Allen $137,000 Wukela, Steve J $102,000 Jones, Richard C (Dickie) $100,100 Elliott, Dick $100,000 Elliott, Dick $100,000 Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina $83,000 2000[edit] See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2000 Elections 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:[14] 2000 Donors, South Carolina State Senate Donor Amount Leatherman, Hugh Kenneth $297,500 Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina $116,000 Grooms, Larry $106,802 Rice Jr, E Blair $101,000 Canty, Ralph $65,216 Clemmons, Alan $58,000 California Manufactured Housing Institute $48,100 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $42,720 South Carolina Optometric Association $39,050 Lawson, Blane H $38,428

House elections[edit]

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.

2026[edit]

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024

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

2022[edit]

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.

2020[edit]

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.

2018[edit]

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.^[15]

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

2016[edit]

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.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2014 Elections for all 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 78-46 majority. Republicans lost one seat in the election, giving them a 77-46 majority with one vacancy. South Carolina House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 46 46      Republican Party 78 77      Vacant 0 1 Total 124 124 2012[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2012 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012. All 124 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 76-48 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 78-46 majority. South Carolina House of Representatives Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 48 46      Republican Party 76 78 Total 124 124 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, South Carolina House of Representatives District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 56 Mike Ryhal 1.1% 9,577 Dennis DiSabato, Jr. District 75 Kirkman Finley, III 2.2% 14,142 Joe McCulloch District 39 Ralph Shealy Kennedy 2.2% 13,265 Phil Perry District 53 Ted Vick 3.6% 12,371 Richie Yow District 8 Don Bowen 5.8% 12,987 Ted W. Luckadoo District 26 R. Raye Felder 5.9% 11,211 Jeremy C. Walters District 3 B.R. Skelton 7% 10,112 Ed J. Harris District 90 Bakari Sellers 10.5% 15,029 Dan Lawrence District 97 Patsy Knight 10.9% 15,457 Ed Carter District 78 Beth Bernstein 12.7% 14,282 Joan Brady 2010[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2010 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 73-51 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 75-48 majority with one vacancy. South Carolina House of Representatives Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 51 48      Republican Party 73 75      Vacancy - 1 Total 124 124 In 2010, the candidates for state House raised a total of $6,654,588 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[16] 2010 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Caucus of South Carolina $195,500 Palmetto Leadership Council $82,000 South Carolina Trucking Association $78,750 South Carolina Farm Bureau $65,507 Carolina Commerce Fund $57,000 Progress Energy $57,000 South Carolina Dental Association $56,250 Palmetto Business Council $56,000 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $55,958 South Carolina Association of Realtors $52,750 2008[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2008 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 16, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $2,919,909. The top 10 contributors were:[17] 2008 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount House Republican Caucus of South Carolina $201,000 South Carolina Trucking Association $96,500 Palmetto Leadership Council $92,000 House Democratic Caucus Of South Carolina $75,000 South Carolina Optometric Association $69,650 South Carolina Farm Bureau $68,500 South Carolina Association of Realtors $67,750 Scana Corp $61,750 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $59,949 Progress Energy $56,750 2006[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2006 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 13, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $7,658,515. The top 10 contributors were:[18] 2006 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount Floyd Jr, Cecil Edward Bubby $116,750 South Carolina Trucking Association $93,750 Palmetto Leadership Council $92,500 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $90,236 Republican Caucus of South Carolina $90,208 South Carolina Optometric Association $77,450 South Carolina Farm Bureau $77,000 Crawford, Kristopher $72,657 Mahaffey, Joseph G $71,900 Speakers Politically Active Citizens Cmte $60,000 2004[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2004 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives 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 House candidates was $4,940,969. The top 10 contributors were:[19] 2004 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount Republican Caucus of South Carolina $139,208 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $92,549 Palmetto Leadership Council $81,000 Speakers Politically Active Citizens Cmte $77,500 South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association $71,125 South Carolina Trucking Association $63,050 House Republican Caucus Of South Carolina $57,708 South Carolina Association Of Realtors $52,500 Progress Energy $46,000 Purcell, Donald W $44,797 2002[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2002 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 11, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $5,440,606. The top 10 contributors were:[20] 2002 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount Republican Caucus of South Carolina $167,916 Thompson, Michael D $125,000 Ceips, Catherine C & Richard N $83,100 Speakers Politically Active Citizens Cmte $80,000 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $70,550 Skelton, B R $50,000 South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association $48,250 South Carolina Trucking Association $47,500 South Carolina Bankers Association $45,250 Blue Cross Blue Shield Of South Carolina $44,500 2000[edit] See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2000 Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives 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 House candidates was $5,444,436. The top 10 contributors were:[21] 2000 Donors, South Carolina House of Representatives Donor Amount Republican Caucus of South Carolina $184,381 Thompson, Michael D $120,000 Speakers Politically Active Citizens Cmte $80,000 South Carolina Optometric Association $59,900 House Republican Caucus Of South Carolina $56,244 South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association $54,244 South Carolina Association Of Realtors $53,125 Electric Cooperatives Of South Carolina $50,250 South Carolina Hospital Association $47,600 South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association $45,750

District maps[edit]

State Senate[edit]

State House[edit]

See also[edit]

• State legislature
• South Carolina State Legislature
• South Carolina State Senate
• South Carolina House of Representatives
• List of South Carolina state legislative elections

Footnotes[edit]

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