H 4295: Gold Standard Elections Act

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "GOLD STANDARD ELECTIONS ACT" BY AMENDING SECTION 7-3-20, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SO AS TO REQUIRE SEPARATE LISTS FOR ACTIVE, INACTIVE, AND ARCHIVED VOTER REGISTRATIONS, TO UTILIZE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES' SAVE SERVICES TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE NON-U.S. CITIZENS FROM THE VOTER REGISTRATION LIST AND MAINTAIN A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE LIST OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AND TO COMPARE THE VOTER REGISTRATION LIST WITH CERTAIN FEDERAL LISTS ON A MONTHLY BASIS; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-5-160, RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, REQUIRE VALID IDENTIFICATION TO REGISTER TO VOTE, AND FOR THE COUNTY BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS TO ISSUE A VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR EACH REGISTRATION; BY ADDING SECTION 7-5-200 SO AS TO PERMIT ONLY PAPER POLL BOOKS AT VOTING LOCATIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 7-7-715 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAXIMUM POPULATION OF EACH PRECINCT, REQUIRE A NEW PRECINCT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF POPULATION EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AND PROVIDE FOR A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-72, RELATING TO MANAGERS OF ELECTIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE FOUR ELECTION MANAGERS FOR EACH TWO HUNDRED FIFTY REGISTERED VOTERS; BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-700 SO AS TO REQUIRE ONLY QUALIFIED ELECTORS WHO COMPLY WITH ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-730, RELATING TO THE DELIVERY, MARKING, AND DEPOSIT OF BALLOTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE INITIALS OF TWO POLL MANAGERS ON EACH BALLOT; BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-870 SO AS TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER BALLOTS AND THE HAND COUNT OF THOSE BALLOTS; BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-880 SO AS TO REQUIRE CHAIN OF CUSTODY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VOTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-1110, RELATING TO COUNTING BALLOTS AND RESULT DECLARATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO VIEW THE BALLOT COUNT PROCESS PROVIDED THERE IS NO INTERFERENCE WITH THE PROCESS; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-13-1160, RELATING TO COUNTY REPORTING OF ELECTION RESULTS TO THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION, SO AS TO REQUIRE EACH COUNTY BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS TO POST ITS ELECTION RESULTS BEFORE NOTIFICATION OF UNOFFICIAL RESULTS TO THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-15-320, RELATING TO PERSONS QUALIFIED TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT, SO AS TO REQUIRE ONLY U.S. CITIZENS WITH A CURRENT AND VALID VOTER REGISTRATION BE PERMITTED TO VOTE AND AMEND CIRCUMSTANCES FOR WHICH A PERSON MAY VOTE ABSENTEE; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-15-330, RELATING TO ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS, SO AS TO REQUIRE AN APPLICATION REQUEST TO INCLUDE THE SIGNATURE OF THE REQUESTOR AND A WITNESS; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-15-420, RELATING TO RECEIPT, TABULATION, AND REPORTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, SO AS TO REQUIRE ABSENTEE BALLOTS BE TRANSPORTED TO THE PRECINCT ON ELECTION DAY, PERMIT ABSENTEE BALLOT COUNTS AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE, AND RENDER AN ABSENTEE BALLOT NULL AND VOID IF THE VOTER VOTED IN-PERSON FOR THAT ELECTION; BY ADDING SECTION 7-19-130 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A STATE ELECTOR IN A FEDERAL ELECTION PROCESS FROM VOTING FOR ANY CANDIDATE AND OBJECT TO THE FEDERAL ELECTION PROCESS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 53-5-10, RELATING TO LEGAL HOLIDAYS, SO AS TO ADD GENERAL ELECTION DAY AS A LEGAL HOLIDAY.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 10

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 26, 2026Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Magnuson, Edgerton, Frank, Pace, Gilreath, Cromer, Long
2. January 13, 2026Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Kilmartin, White
3. April 3, 2025Referred to Committee on Judiciary
4. April 3, 2025Introduced and read first time