Welcome to the portal for Ballotpedia's coverage of South Carolina politics! Ballotpedia's encyclopedic coverage of South Carolinapolitics includes information on the local, state and federal levels, as well as state policies.

South Carolina, nicknamed "The Palmetto State," is bordered byNorth Carolina,Georgia and the Atlantic Ocean. It was the eighth state to ratify theU.S. Constitution and to be admitted to the Union. WhileColumbia is South Carolina’s capital and largest city,Greenville is the state’s largest metropolitan area.

South Carolina has two members of theU.S. Senate, a total of seven members of theU.S. House of Representatives, 46 members of theState Senate and 124 members of theHouse of Representatives.

State Leadership

Governor

Henry McMaster

Capital:

Columbia

Motto:

Dum spiro spero

Translation:

While I breathe, I hope

Population:

5,124,712

Land Area of State:

30,064 square miles

Admitted to U.S.:

1788

South Carolina Elections

South Carolina 2026 elections: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • Secretary of State • State executive offices • State House • School boards • Candidate ballot access

South Carolina elections, 2027
Past elections:2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016 •2015 •2014

Voting in South Carolina

Ballotpedia

Federal politics

South Carolina state politics

Local politics in South Carolina

Cities and counties in South Carolina

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage in the100 largest U.S. cities by population and also covers mayoral, city council, and district attorney elections in every state capital. Additionally, Ballotpedia covers school board elections in the200 largest U.S. school districts by enrollment.ColumbiaHowever, Ballotpedia is providing expanded, comprehensive local election coverage in South Carolina in 2026.Click here to find your county.