South Carolina changes municipal election date laws, approves three other pieces of election-related legislation in 2026

The South Carolina Legislature adjourned its 2026 regular legislative session on May 14 after approving four pieces of election-related legislation.

Among those was H 3556, which establishes certain dates when municipal elections may be held in odd-numbered years. The bill also allows only municipalities with more than 10,000 residents to have a municipal elections commission and permits municipalities to determine when the terms of their newly elected officers begin, among other provisions.

On April 23, the South Carolina House approved the final version of the bill on a voice vote. The Senate adopted the bill by unanimous consent on May 5. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed H 3556 on May 19.

"In recognition of the idea that we are having elections constantly, putting a tremendous amount of burden and work on the folks who run elections, we are trying to be streamline and efficient in how we have those elections," Rep. Jay Jordan (R) said on the floor of the state House. "... This, I think, is another step in that vein."




https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/05/22/south-carolina-changes-municipal-election-date-laws-approves-three-other-pieces-of-election-related-legislation-in-2026/