S*0189(Rat #0239, Act #0242 of 1996)  General Bill, By M.T. Rose
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 7-13-335 so as to provide that candidates' names in nonpartisan elections be
 arranged in alphabetical order; and to amend Section 7-13-610, as amended,
 relating to ballot specifications in party primaries, so as to provide that
 the ballot must contain the names of persons in alphabetical order.-amended
 title

   10/17/94  Senate Prefiled
   10/17/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/10/95  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-65
   01/10/95  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-65
   04/18/95  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-26
   04/19/95  Senate Read second time SJ-10
   04/19/95  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-10
   04/25/95  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-21
   04/26/95  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-15
   04/26/95  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-15
   01/24/96  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Judiciary HJ-4
   01/30/96  House  Amended HJ-15
   01/30/96  House  Read second time HJ-15
   01/31/96  House  Read third time and returned to Senate with
                     amendments HJ-14
   02/06/96  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-174
   02/27/96         Ratified R 239
   03/04/96         Signed By Governor
   03/04/96         Effective date 03/04/96
   03/18/96         Copies available
   03/18/96         Act No. 242

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-335 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CANDIDATES' NAMES IN NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS BE ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 7-13-610, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO BALLOT SPECIFICATIONS IN PARTY PRIMARIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE BALLOT MUST CONTAIN THE NAMES OF PERSONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Arrangement of names on certain ballots

SECTION 1. Article 7, Chapter 13, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 7-13-335. The State Election Commission or the local entity responsible for printing general or special election ballots or the arrangement of a ballot by mechanical or electronic means shall conform these ballots to the requirements of Section 7-13-330. The names of candidates in nonpartisan and at-large, multi-seat races must be listed in alphabetical order."

Ballots, order of candidates

SECTION 2. Section 7-13-610 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 253 of 1992, is further amended to read:

"Section 7-13-610. (A) The State Election Commission and the respective county election commissions shall prepare separate ballots for each political party holding a primary. The ballots for each party must contain in print only the names of the candidates who have filed to run in that particular party primary and must have a stub at the top perforated so as to be easily detached. On the stub must be printed `Official state (or county) Ballot, (name of party) Primary', the name of the county and the precinct, and the date of the primary. On the right side there must be a blank line under which must be printed `Initials of Issuing Officer'. Stubs on ballots for each precinct must be numbered consecutively, beginning with `No. 1'. The ballots must be furnished by the State Election Commission for all except members of the General Assembly, county officers, less than county officers, and circuit solicitors, for which the county election commission shall furnish the ballots. One ballot must contain the names of all persons in alphabetical order running for state and federal offices. The other ballot must contain, in alphabetical order, the names of all persons running for the General Assembly, county offices, less than county officers, and solicitors.

(B) Ballots furnished by the State Election Commission under this section must have marked on them in plain type, both on the stub and on the ballot, the words `Official State Ballot'. Ballots furnished by the county election commission under this section must have marked on them in plain type, both on the stub and on the ballot, the words `Official County Ballot'.

(C) The ballot must be printed on paper of a thickness so that the printing cannot be distinguished from the back and must be of a size and color as directed by the State Election Commission. If more than one ballot is to be used in a primary, each ballot must be printed on different colored paper. The ballot must contain a voting square opposite the name of each candidate, and the voter shall vote by putting a mark in the voting square opposite the name of the candidate of his choice. The State Election Commission may establish, under Chapter 23 of Title 1, such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper administration of this section."

Time effective

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 4th day of March, 1996.