South Carolina State Legislature
| South Carolina State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 13, 2026 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Thomas Alexander (R) |
| House Speaker: | G. Murrell Smith Jr. (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate:Shane Massey (R) House:Davey Hiott (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate:Brad Hutto (D) House:James Rutherford (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 46 (Senate), 124 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate),2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, South Carolina Constitution |
| Salary: | $10,400/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | South Carolina Legislature has control |
TheSouth Carolina General Assembly, also called theSouth Carolina Legislature, is thestate legislature ofSouth Carolina. It consists of the lowerHouse of Representatives and the upperState Senate. Prior toReynolds v. Sims, the House of Representatives was apportioned so that each county had a number of representatives based on population, with each county guaranteed at least one Representative, while each county had one Senator. Moreover, each county's General Assembly delegation also doubled as its county council.
Reynolds v. Sims caused district lines to cross county lines, causing legislators to be on multiple county councils. This led to the passage of the Home Rule Act of 1975, which created county councils that were independent of the General Assembly. However, some functions that in many other states are performed by county governments are still handled by county legislative delegations in South Carolina.
The General Assembly meets in joint session to elect judges, with all 170 members having an equal vote in such elections.
South Carolina has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
TheSouth Carolina Senate is theupper house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 46senators elected from single member districts for four-year terms at the same time as United States Presidential elections.
As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state senators represented an average of111,407 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented100,999 residents.
TheSouth Carolina Constitution of 1895 provided for each county to elect one senator for a four-year term. The election of senators was staggered so that half of the state Senate was elected every two years. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1964 for the caseReynolds v. Sims, the state Senate was reapportioned in 1966 as a temporary measure into 27 districts with 50 members for two-year terms. In 1967, the state Senate was again reapportioned, this time into 20 districts with 46 members for four-year terms. The number of districts was reduced to 16 in 1972 and in 1984, they were eliminated with the creation of single member districts.
Senators serve withoutterm limits.
| As of February 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Members | |
| Democratic | 12 | |
| Republican | 34 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 46 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the South Carolina State Senate in 2000. In2024, they won a 34-12 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
South Carolina State Senate election results: 1992-2024
| Party | '92 | '96 | '00 | '04 | '08 | '12 | '16 | '20 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 30 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
| Republicans | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 34 |
House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is thelower house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 124Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time US Congressional elections. Unlike many legislatures, seating on the floor is not divided by party, but is arranged by county delegation.
As of the 2020 Census, South Carolina state representatives represented an average of41,328 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented37,468 residents.
Representatives serve withoutterm limits.
| As of February 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Members | |
| Democratic | 36 | |
| Republican | 88 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 124 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1994. In2024, they won an 88-35 majority with one vacancy.
The table below shows the partisan history of the South Carolina House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
South Carolina House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 73 | 58 | 53 | 59 | 54 | 51 | 50 | 51 | 53 | 48 | 46 | 47 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 36 | 35 |
| Republicans | 50 | 62 | 70 | 64 | 70 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 78 | 77 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 88 | 88 |
Elections
2026
Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isJune 9, 2026, and the primary runoff isJune 23, 2026. The filing deadline isMarch 30, 2026.
2024
Elections for theSouth Carolina State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 11, 2024, and the primary runoff wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasApril 1, 2024.
Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasJune 11, 2024, and the primary runoff wasJune 25, 2024. The filing deadline wasApril 1, 2024.
2022
Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 14, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 30, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office ofSouth Carolina State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was March 30, 2020.
Elections for the office ofSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 9, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was March 30, 2020.
2018
Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2018. The primary election took place on June 12, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. Aprimary runoff election took place on June 26, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 30, 2018.[1]
2016
Elections for theSouth Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.
Elections for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.
2014
Elections for all 124 seats in theSouth Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of South Carolina State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012.
Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 12, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2010.
Sessions
Article III of the South CarolinaConstitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 9 of Article III states that the Legislature is to convene on the second Tuesday of January each year. Section 9 allows the General Assembly to recede from session for up to thirty days by a majority vote of the legislative house seeking to recede. Furthermore, one or both houses can recede from session for more than thirty days if that action is approved by two-thirds of the members.
2025
In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on May 28, 2025.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on May 9, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on May 11, 2023. 2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on May 12, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 13, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 25, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 21, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through May 10, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 11, 2017. The legislature held a special session on June 6, 2017. 2016In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2. 2015In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4. The legislature had a veto session from June 16 to July 9.[2] Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 session included the South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on rural school equity, roads, gas prices, and criminal domestic violence. The court issued a ruling in a 21-year-old funding lawsuit and directed the legislature to provide a solution to inequity for rural schools in the state. However, lawmakers were given no direction by the state's highest court, and were forced to develop a plan on their own.[3] 2014In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through June 6. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included ethics reform and government restructuring.[4] 2013In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to June 20. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included computer security, improving the state's roads and bridges, and addressing healthcare.[5] 2012In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 7. Major issues in 2012Legislators addressed a budget surplus of $900 million. Major agenda issues included tax reform, job security measures, reforming the state retirement system, and creating a new school funding formula.[6] 2011In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 11 through June 2.[7] On June 2, 2011, GovernorNikki Haley (R) attempted to call the legislature into an "emergency" special session to begin on June 7 to create the new South Carolina Department of Administration. A lawsuit was filed by Senate President Pro TemGlenn McConnell (R), in which he contended that Haley's call for a special session was unconstitutional, and that it violated the state Constitution's requirement of separation of powers among the governor, legislature and courts.[8] On June 6, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against Governor Haley, stating that her order violated the legislature's ability to set its calendar and agenda.[9] The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 to July 1.[10] The legislature re-convened July 26.[11] 2010In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12 to June 3. |
Role in state budget
South Carolinaon |
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows[12]
- InAugust of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, thegovernor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
- BetweenSeptember and October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
- Budget hearings are held with state agencies inOctober.
- InJanuary, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature.
- Both theHouse and theSenate pass a budget. If these versions do not match, a conference committee consisting of both House and Senate members is assembled to reconcile the differences.[13]
- The legislature adopts a budget inMay. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.
South Carolina is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[12][14]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, thelegislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.[12]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in South Carolina are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 83 of the 124 members in theSouth Carolina House of Representatives and 31 of the 46 members in theSouth Carolina State Senate. South Carolina is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| Vetoes can be overridden in a special session or when the next regular session convenes.[15] |
Authority:Article IV, Section 21 of theSouth Carolina Constitution.
| "Every bill or joint resolution which shall have passed the General Assembly, except on a question of adjournment, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor, and if he approves he shall sign it; if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large on its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass it, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house it shall have the same effect as if it had been signed by the Governor; but in all such cases the vote of both houses shall be taken by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill or joint resolution shall be entered on the Journals of both houses respectively." |
Redistricting
- See also:Redistricting in South Carolina
In South Carolina, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by thestate legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.[16]
South Carolina's legislative redistricting committees adopted redistricting guidelines in 2011. These guidelines recommend that all congressional and state legislative districts be contiguous and "attempt to preserve communities of interest and cores of incumbents' existing districts." Further, the guidelines suggest that districts should "adhere to county, municipal, and voting precinct boundary lines." These guidelines may modified by the legislature at its discretion.[16]
2020
South Carolina enacted new state legislative district maps on December 10, 2021, when Gov. McMaster signed a proposal approved by theSouth Carolina House andSenate into law. The South Carolina Senate approved House and Senate map proposals in a 43-1 vote on December 7, 2021, and the House approved the new districts in a 75-27 vote on December 9, 2021. Gov. McMaster signed the bill into law the next day.[17]
The House maps were updated on June 28, 2022, by Senate Bill 1024. The updated maps became effective for the 2024 elections.[18][19]
2010
On June 15, 2011 theSenate approved its new maps by a unanimous 33-0 vote with little debate.[20] The same day,House representatives also approved their redistricting plan.[21]
History
Confederate flag removed
On July 9, 2015, the South Carolina State Legislature passedSenate Bill 897, which removed the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the State House. Senate Bill 897 had to be passed twice in each chamber by a two-thirds majority before it could be sent to the governor.[22] The Senate passed Senate Bill 897 by a vote of 37 to 3 on July 6, and by a vote of 36 to 3 on July 7.[22][23] TheHouse of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 93 to 27 on June 8, and by a vote of 94 to 20 on July 9.[24] The final vote on the bill came in the early morning of July 9 after a 13-hour debate over the flag's removal.[25]
The newly reignited debate surrounding the Confederate flag began inSouth Carolina after the lateDemocratic SenatorClementa Pinckney and eight others were killed in a mass shooting at an African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015.[26] After the shooting, the police determined that the shooter was motivated by racial hatred, and had posed in pictures with the Confederate flag.[27] The massacre reignited a debate about the meaning of the Confederate flag and its symbol to different people.[28]Gov. Nikki Haley (R) used 13 pens to sign the bill on July 9, nine of which were given to the families of the nine victims who were killed in the mass shooting.[25][29]
After the state House passed the bill, Gov. Haley made the following statement on her Facebook page:
| “ | Today, as the Senate did before them, the House of Representatives has served the State of South Carolina and her people with great dignity. I'm grateful for their service and their compassion. It is a new day in South Carolina, a day we can all be proud of, a day that truly brings us all together as we continue to heal, as one people and one state.[30] | ” |
| —Gov. Nikki Haley (R)[31] | ||
The flag was removed from the State House grounds in a ceremony on the morning of July 10.[28] After flying for 54 years at the State House, the Confederate flag would now be on exhibit at theSouth Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.[28]
Partisan balance 1992-2013
South Carolina State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Carolina State Senate for the first nine years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 13 years. South Carolina was under Republicantrifectas for the final 11 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
South Carolina State House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the South Carolina State House of Representatives for the first three years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 19 years. The South Carolina House of Representatives is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. South Carolina was under Republicantrifectas for the final 11 years of the study.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of South Carolina, theSouth Carolina State Senate and theSouth Carolina House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.
South Carolina was one of eight states to demonstratea dramatic partisan shift in the 22 years studied. A dramatic shift was defined by a movement of 40 percent or more toward one party over the course of the study period. South Carolina was Republican-dominated during the years of the study but experienced a shift toward much stronger Republican control, resulting in Republican trifectas from 2003-2013.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the South Carolina state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. South Carolina ranked in the bottom-10 during every year of the study except the most recent. In 2012 it improved, finishing at 38th. The state's worst ranking, finishing 47th, occurred during both divided government and Republican trifectas.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 44.30
- SQLI average with divided government: 45.00
Legislators
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2025[32] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $10,400/year | $240.07/day |
When sworn in
South Carolina legislators assume office the Monday after the election.[33]
Joint legislative committees
The South Carolina State Legislature has one joint standing committee:
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the South Carolina Constitution can be amended:
TheSouth Carolina Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. South Carolina requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Legislature
Atwo-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for theSouth Carolina State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in theSouth Carolina House of Representatives and 30 votes in theSouth Carolina State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
In South Carolina, the Legislature needs to approve a constitutional amendment for a second timeafter voters approve the amendment. This second vote requires a simple majority in the House and Senate.
Convention
According toSection 3 of Article XVI of theSouth Carolina Constitution, a constitutional convention can be held if two-thirds of the members of both houses of theSouth Carolina State Legislature vote to put the question on the ballot.
See also
| Elections | South Carolina State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑South Carolina Election Commission, "Nomination by Political Party," accessed September 4, 2017
- ↑Multi State, "2015 State Legislative Session Dates," accessed June 30, 2015
- ↑Laura McKenzie,The People Sentinel, "S.C. legislators begin debate on 2015 issues," January 15, 2015
- ↑wspa.com, "Legislature Kicks Off With Old Issues On Agenda," January 14, 2014
- ↑WJBF, "South Carolina Lawmakers Start Legislative Session Vowing To Protect Your Information And Improve Roads," January 8, 2013
- ↑The State, "Legislative key issues," January 8, 2012
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑The State, "Haley tells court she has right to call special session," June 6, 2011
- ↑Wltx.com, "SC Supreme Court Rules Against Nikki Haley's Extra Session," June 6, 2011
- ↑TheSunNews.com, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
- ↑The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
- ↑12.012.112.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑WLTX, "Where key bills stand as 2019 session ends," May 9, 2019
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑The News & Observer "Special veto session unlikely for South Carolina Legislature," July 1, 2017
- ↑16.016.1All About Redistricting, "South Carolina," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑LegiScan, "South Carolina House Bill 4493," accessed December 14, 2021
- ↑South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, "SC General Assembly," accessed March 17, 2025
- ↑LegiScan, "South Carolina Senate Bill 1024," accessed March 17, 2025
- ↑The State, "SC Senate OKs new lines, tackles Congressional lines next," June 15, 2011
- ↑The State, "House approves redistricting plans, Dems plan to sue," June 15, 2011
- ↑22.022.1usatoday.com, "S.C. Senate votes to remove Confederate flag," accessed July 6, 2015
- ↑npr.org, "In Final Vote, South Carolina Senate Moves To Take Down Confederate Flag," July 7, 2015
- ↑USA Today, "S.C. Statehouse will take down Confederate flag Friday," accessed July 9, 2015
- ↑25.025.1NY Times, "South Carolina Governor Signs Law Removing Confederate Flag From Capitol," July 9, 2015
- ↑NBC News, "'This Is a Hate Crime Nine People Killed at Historic South Carolina Church," June 18, 2015
- ↑ABC News, "South Carolina Lawmakers Begin Debate Over Confederate Flag," July 6, 2015
- ↑28.028.128.2CNN, "South Carolina lawmakers to debate Confederate flag on Monday," accessed July 6, 2015Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "cnn" defined multiple times with different content - ↑postandcourier.com, "Gov. Nikki Haley signs bill, Confederate flag to come down," accessed July 9, 2015
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑Facebook, "Nikki Haley," July 9, 2015
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
- ↑South Carolina Legislature, "Article III - Legislative Department," accessed October 4, 2021
