Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

For yet another session, the South Carolina Legislature did not pass any significant pro-voter reforms. The only election-related legislation the Legislature did pass was a proposed constitutional amendment to clarify the state’s already existing ban on non-citizen voting. Therefore, South Carolina received a B- on this year’s progress report.

Looking Back

Where South Carolina Started at the Beginning of 2024

• Automatic Voter Registration: No
• Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
• Same-Day Registration: No
• Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: Excuse-Only
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: Yes
• ID Requirements: ID Requested, but not Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for South Carolina as of 2024, we considered the state a bottom tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2024 activity against other bottom tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2024): 43rd
• EPI Score (2022): 17th
• CLC State Scorecard (2022): 4/10
• MAP Democracy Rating (2024): LOW

2024: This Past Year

Legislative Action

The Legislature passed only one election-related piece of legislation this past session.

• S 1126 is a constitutional amendment that further clarifies the state’s already existing constitutional requirement that voters must be U.S. citizens to vote in South Carolina elections. Voters approved the change during the 2024 general election.