Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 7-13-25 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE BY WHICH A QUALIFIED ELECTOR MAY CAST HIS BALLOT IN PERSON WITHOUT EXCUSE DURING AN EARLY VOTING PERIOD; TO ESTABLISH EARLY VOTING CENTERS TO ALLOW A REGISTERED COUNTY RESIDENT TO VOTE OUTSIDE THEIR PRECINCT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS; TO REQUIRE THAT THESE CENTERS BE OPEN ALL DAY ON THE TWO SATURDAYS WITHIN THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD; AND TO REQUIRE THESE LOCATIONS AND TIMES TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 30-4-80.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 13, Title 7 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 7-13-25. (A) For purposes of this section, 'election' means a statewide primary or general election.
(B) Notwithstanding the provision of this chapter or Chapter 5 of this title, the State Election Commission shall establish a procedure by which a qualified elector may cast his ballot in person, without excuse, during an early voting period. The qualified elector may accomplish this at an early voting center in his county of residence.
(C) Early voting centers shall allow duly registered voters of that county to vote outside their precinct.
(D) Early voting centers must be established and maintained to ensure that voters may cast only one ballot.
(E) A qualified elector, who is registered, may cast his ballot in person at an early voting center established by the authority charged by law with conducting an election.
(F) The early voting period shall begin fifteen days before the statewide primary or general election and end one day before it.
(G) The authority charged by law with conducting an election shall determine the locations and hours of operation for early voting centers, except that the early voting centers must be open on the two Saturdays within the early voting period as provided by Section 7-13-60. These locations and hours of operation for the early voting centers must be posted in accordance with the provisions of Section 30-4-80."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on January 13, 2009 at 4:38 PM