South Carolina · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill
H 5358: Closed primaries
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
H 5358 is a bill introduced in the South Carolina House on March 11, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Closed primaries. Primary sponsor: Jay Kilmartin (Republican), Thomas Beach (Republican), Sarita Edgerton (Republican), Rob Harris (Republican), Stephen Frank (Republican), Jordan Pace (Republican), Josiah Magnuson (Republican), Alan Morgan (Republican), April Cromer (Republican), Lee Gilreath (Republican), John Lastinger (Republican). Most recent recorded action (March 11, 2026): Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
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 ADDING SECTION 7-5-115 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE IN A PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION OR PARTISAN ADVISORY REFERENDUM UNLESS THE PERSON HAS REGISTERED AS BEING A MEMBER OF THAT PARTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-5-110, RELATING TO REGISTRATION IN ORDER TO VOTE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE IN A PARTISAN PRIMARY ELECTION OR PARTISAN ADVISORY REFERENDUM UNLESS THE PERSON HAS REGISTERED AS BEING A MEMBER OF THAT POLITICAL PARTY; BY AMENDING SECTION 7-5-170, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENT OF STATING POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION, IF ANY, ON THE FORM AND INCLUDING IT IN THE OATH, AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN CAPTURING THIS DATA; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 7-9-20, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS, SO AS TO INCLUDE, AS A REQUIREMENT, REGISTERING AS A MEMBER OF THE PARTY AND TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION OR NONAFFILIATION AFTER A SELECTION HAS BEEN MADE.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 11
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Kilmartin | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 85 |
| Thomas Beach | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 10 |
| Sarita Edgerton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 34 |
| Rob Harris | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 36 |
| Stephen Frank | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 20 |
| Jordan Pace | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 117 |
| Josiah Magnuson | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 38 |
| Alan Morgan | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 18 |
| April Cromer | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 6 |
| Lee Gilreath | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 7 |
| John Lastinger | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 88 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary
- Introduced and read first time