Senator Tedder propose the following amendment (LC-5683.HDB0133S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 4 and inserting:

SECTION 4. (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 the 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.(1) Notwithstanding any provision in Title 7 of the S.C. Code to the contrary, all ballots cast in the special primary must be instant runoff ballots which allow each elector to vote his order of preference for each candidate for U.S. House of Representatives by indicating a rank next to the candidate's name on the ballot. However, the elector shall not be required to indicate his preference for more than one candidate on the ballot if he so chooses.

  (2) Any candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for an individual U.S. House seat in the special primary shall be declared the nominee of the party for that seat. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the special primary, the two candidates who receive the most votes for each U.S. House seat in the special primary will proceed to a virtual runoff in which the candidate who received the higher ranking from a voter's instant runoff ballot will receive the elector's vote in the virtual runoff. The candidate who receives the most votes in the virtual instant runoff election shall be declared the nominee of the party for that seat.

  (3) Notwithstanding Sections 7-13-40 and 7-13-50, no special runoff or second primary may be held following the special primary for purposes of determining the nominees of each party to appear on the general election ballot.

  (4) The State Election Commission shall develop ballots appropriate for use in the special primaries to comply with the provisions of this subsection.

 (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 9August 19, 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

 (I) Notwithstanding Section 7-13-351, and for 2026 only, a petition for nomination of a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives must be submitted to the State Election Commission no later than twelve o'clock noon on August 19, 2026. The respective county boards of voter registration and election must check the petition and certify the results no later than September 9, 2026.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.