The Committee on Judiciary proposes the following amendment (LC-5683.HDB0016H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered section to read:

SECTION X. (A)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 7-11-15 or 7-11-210, and for 2026 only, the dates for filing for all candidates seeking nomination by a political party primary or a political party convention for one of the seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is between noon on June first and noon on June fifth.

  (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7-13-45, notice of the dates of the filing period set forth in item (1) for candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, the place and street address where filings may be made, and the hours an authorized person will be present to receive filings must be published on the State Election Commission's website as soon as practicable following the enactment of this act.

 (B) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 7-13-15 or 7-13-40, and for 2026 only, a special primary must be held on August 18, 2026, for the seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to be voted on in the November 3, 2026, general election. Written certification of the names of all candidates for the seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to be placed on the special primary ballots must be made by the political party chairman, vice chairman, or secretary to the State Election Commission no later than noon on June 9, 2026.

 (C) A special runoff primary, if necessary, must be held on September 1, 2026.

 (D) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7-13-350, written certification of the names of the nominees for the seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to be placed on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot must be made by the political party chairman, vice chairman, or secretary to the State Election Commission no later than noon on September 9, 2026.

 (E)(1) Only votes cast in the special primary and subsequent runoff, if necessary, for candidates for U.S. House may be counted for purposes of determining the names of nominees to appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballots. No votes cast in the June 9, 2026, statewide primaries for candidates for U.S. House may be counted for these purposes.

  (2) In conducting the June 9, 2026, statewide primaries and subsequent runoffs, each county board of voter registration and elections must post signs or other appropriate notices in conspicuous locations informing voters of the impact of the provisions of item (1) on ballots being cast. The language to be printed on these signs must be approved by the State Election Commission or its executive director.

 (F) In conducting the special primaries and runoffs, each county board of voter registration and elections may combine polling places for reasons including, but not limited to, the availability of poll workers and polling locations. Provided, each county board of voter registration and elections must ensure voters have adequate notice and access to polling places.

 (G)(1) The State Election Commission shall issue a refund in the amount of the filing fee paid by any person under Section 7-13-40 who filed as a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for the June 9, 2026, statewide primaries and does not again file as a candidate under subsection (A).

  (2) A person who filed as a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives for the June 9, 2026, statewide primaries and paid the filing fee required under Section 7-13-40 may file again to be a candidate under subsection (A) by filing the appropriate statement of intention of candidacy and party pledge without an additional filing fee.

 (H) In the event of a conflict between this act and the provisions of Title 7 of the S.C. Code, the provisions of this act shall control.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.