2026 Elections

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Josh Kimbrell

Moves the 2026 South Carolina general primary to the second Tuesday in August and requires an earlier June filing window for August primaries.

Scrivener's error corrected

Summary of Bill S. 1180 (2025-2026) – South Carolina: 2026 Elections

Purpose and intent

The bill is a joint resolution intended to change the scheduling and filing timeline for South Carolina’s 2026 elections.

Specifically, it moves the 2026 general election primary to occur on the second Tuesday in August and establishes an earlier, fixed filing window for August primaries.

Key provisions and changes

Primary date change

Section 1: The primary for the 2026 General Election shall be conducted on the second Tuesday in August.
This change supersedes existing provisions in Section 7-13-15 regarding when primaries are held.
The August primary would follow the same procedures outlined in Chapter 13, Title 7 of the South Carolina Code.

Filing period for August primaries

Section 2: The filing period for the political party primary in August opens at noon on the third Friday in June and closes five days later at noon.
Any candidates who had already filed for the 2026 primary must refile to participate in the August primaries.
This establishes a distinct, earlier window for filings compared to the general statutory filing times.

Effective date

Section 3: The joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Affected entities and implications

Candidates

Individuals who filed for the 2026 primary may need to refile to participate in the August primaries.
A shorter timeline and a different filing window may affect candidacy decisions, outreach, and campaign planning.

Political party primaries

The August primary schedule applies to the parties’ nominations, aligning primary timing with a summer timetable.

Election administration

State election officials would implement the August primary procedures and the revised filing window in coordination with Chapter 13, Title 7 rules.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced and first read on May 6, 2026; referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Co-sponsor: Josh Kimbrell.

The bill requires gubernatorial approval to become effective.

Potential considerations for readers

The shift to an August August primary could affect voter turnout patterns, campaign finance deadlines, and administrative logistics.

Refiling requirements may create a transitional complication for candidates who had pre-filed under the prior schedule.

Operationally, elections officials must adjust calendars, notices, and ballot preparation to reflect the August primary date and the June filing window.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposal to current SC primary schedules or map out a candidate’s timeline under both the existing law and this proposed change.