South Carolina Senate Bill S1109

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/14/26
• Refer: 4/14/26

Caption

Presidential primaries

Summary

S1109 amends South Carolina’s presidential preference primary law to reduce the maximum filing fee that may be charged to each candidate certified by a political party for inclusion on a presidential primary ballot. Under current law, the State Election Commission may collect a filing fee of up to $22,500 per certified candidate; this bill lowers that cap, though the exact new maximum is not stated in the text provided. The bill keeps the overall structure of the presidential preference primary process in place, including party control over whether to hold a primary, party-set filing requirements, and the requirement that candidates be qualified under the U.S. Constitution, state law, and party rules. The bill also preserves existing provisions directing the State Election Commission and county election authorities to use cost-effective measures in conducting presidential preference primaries, such as combining polling places when appropriate, while still ensuring adequate notice and access for voters. The filing fee collected from certified candidates continues to be transmitted by the political party to the State Election Commission and used to conduct the presidential preference primaries. The act would take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Impact

This bill would amend Section 7-11-20 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, changing the statutory cap on the filing fee for presidential preference primary candidates certified by a political party. It would affect the State Election Commission, political parties that choose to hold presidential preference primaries, and candidates seeking placement on those ballots by reducing the maximum amount that may be charged and collected for primary administration. The bill does not alter the basic authority of parties to set filing requirements or the requirement that candidates meet constitutional, statutory, and party-rule qualifications.

Sentiment

With no committee transcripts or recorded votes available, the available context suggests a neutral, administrative purpose rather than a controversial policy change. The bill’s title and text indicate a focus on lowering candidate filing costs and potentially reducing barriers to participation in presidential preference primaries. Because the measure concerns election administration and fee limits, it is likely to be viewed as a technical or cost-related reform rather than a partisan overhaul.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the reduction in the filing fee cap: supporters may see it as lowering costs for candidates and aligning election administration with cost-effective practices, while opponents could argue that lower fees may reduce funding available to administer presidential preference primaries. Another possible issue is the balance between party autonomy and state regulation, since the bill leaves party-set filing requirements intact but changes the state-imposed fee ceiling. No specific objections or support were recorded in the provided materials.