If your bank gave you a statement with only the ending balance, would that be acceptable? Of course not, and yet that is what we get in SC. Just a total final count with NO ability to view the counts or the ballots. Yet many other states have that ability. Why are our legislators so reluctant to give voters more transparency? “Privacy” is a falacious argument. Stop the gaslighting.
In this video, Laura Scharr from SC Safe Elections and Alaina Moore from Palmetto State Watch discuss the following:
*Why did the Election Director just before the election in 2020 ask AG Alan Wilson not to allow transparency of the vote count?
*Definition and samples of Cast Vote Records and why they don’t contain Personally Identifiable Information, nor can they be traced back to a voter
*Why it is unconstitutional not to provide CVRs
*Who does provide CVRs–hint most states –even blue ones.
*Why CVRs matter
*How audits fail to provide enough information to confirm elections are counted correctly, and how the state of SC has failed in this regard, given the past audit history
*How the General Assembly and AG Alan Wilson seem loath to provide transparency to the people for their vote
*The importance of spreading the information and staying engaged
A Message to SCOTUS—Please Listen, Share–Make this go viral
Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court,
You stand at a defining moment for our Republic. In the landmark case brought by Judicial Watch—Watson v. Republican National Committee—you heard oral arguments on March 23. Now, with a decision expected this June, you face a fundamental question: Is Election Day truly a single day—as federal law and centuries of tradition demand—or has it become a vague, weeks-long process that invites doubt, delays, and division?
Your answer could restore the sacred guardrails our Founders envisioned and begin healing the profound loss of trust that now haunts our elections.
The human cost has been heartbreaking. Esteemed lawyers like John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani have faced fines, lawsuits, and disbarment for raising legitimate questions. Countless grassroots voices—mothers, fathers, veterans, and neighbors—have been vilified as “election deniers” or worse, simply for demanding transparency in the face of ballots arriving days and weeks late, broken chains of custody, unsecured drop boxes, and endless counts that left millions wondering whether their vote even counted.
This is not the America most of us remember.
Less than four election cycles ago, before the 2020 expansions, the vast majority of Americans voted in person on a single Election Day. Mail-in ballots were minimal and typically required an excuse. Paper poll books provided a simple, verifiable sign-in. Then came the rush to loosen rules—often without full legislative approval. When citizens pushed back and demanded basic transparency and auditable records, they were met with resistance rather than reform.
Yet we refused to stay silent.
Across our nation, thousands of dedicated election reform advocates—including hundreds here in South Carolina with SC Safe Elections—have sacrificed more than words can express. We have lost friendships, careers, and countless hours of sleep. Many of us have invested tens of thousands—some more than six figures—of our own money, time, and energy. We did this not for politics or recognition, but out of a deep, abiding love for our country and a fierce determination to protect this Republic for our children and grandchildren.
We speak for hundreds of thousands of everyday Americans who simply want their voices heard and their ballots counted with unquestioned integrity.
We didn’t merely complain. We built real, practical solutions.
SC Safe Elections collaborated with teams nationwide to reengineer the entire election process—especially perfecting the fast, efficient hand-counting of hand-marked paper ballots. Why? Because electronic systems introduce risks that are too great: silent, scalable interference that can evade even expert detection. The stakes are simply too high for our nation’s future.
There is a better way—and it can start with one clear, courageous ruling: Restore Election Day as a single, sacred day.
A strong ruling in this case would end the counting of ballots received after Election Day and reinforce that Election Day must be the clear, decisive focal point — not a rolling process stretched over weeks.
Yet we must go further. Early voting still keeps machines in unsecured places for weeks, drives up poll worker costs, encourages large vote centers over true precincts, and weakens the sacred single day our Founders intended.
Requiring all ballots to be CAST and received by the close of polls on Election Day would deliver immediate transformation:
No early voting that leaks turnout data and shapes perceptions before every vote is cast.
Massive savings: fewer poll workers, no millions wasted on vulnerable foreign developed and manufactured machines and other associated equipment.
Secure chains of custody—no ballots or machines lingering for weeks in unsecured locations.
True precinct voting: neighbors voting where they know one another, making fraud far harder to conceal. When early voting was introduced, voting centers became more prolific, commingling precinct votes making audits tougher.
Results on Election Night: with smaller precincts of roughly 1,500 qualified electors, counting can be completed in hours—not days—by the people, for the people.
Elections must belong once again to We the People—not to corporations, centralized agencies, or opaque technology.
Let us return to the simple, time-tested foundation our Constitution demands: hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots. People. Paper. Pens. No electronics. No foreign components. Counted where cast. Reported by citizens on Election Day—transparent, verifiable, and secure.
Honorable Justices, this is your moment.
We come before you not as partisans, but as patriots who have given everything because we cannot bear to watch our beloved Republic erode in silence. Our hearts ache from the divisions these chaotic elections have deepened. We long for the day when every American—Democrat, Republican, and Independent—can cast their ballot with full confidence that it will be counted fairly, and that no illegal vote will ever dilute their voice.
By ruling that Election Day is a day—not a week, not a month—you have the power to heal this wounded nation. To silence the doubt. To restore faith in the most fundamental act of self-government. To reaffirm that in America, the people—not machines, not midnight ballots, not distant bureaucrats—decide our destiny.
The eyes of history are upon you. The hopes of millions of anxious yet hopeful patriots rest with you.
Please—choose courage over caution. Choose clarity over confusion. Choose the Republic our Founders so carefully entrusted to your protection.
Put power back where it rightfully belongs: with We the People.
Secure our elections.
Secure our children’s future.
Secure the United States of America.
God bless you, and God bless this great nation we all love so dearly.
Respectfully and with urgent hope, Laura Scharr Team Leader and Founder SC Safe Elections and hundreds of thousands of dedicated Americans fighting tirelessly for election integrity
We still await comprehensive election reform. Our recommendation is Gold Standard Elections, and we provide detailed guidelines, processes, and procedures in our white paper, available here and at goldstandardelections.com. However, given that the current electronic system is still in place, we need to provide guidance to monitor and audit our elections. In this video, Gold Standard Election team members Laura Scharr and Rick Weible break down a checklist of action items for candidates, poll watchers/observers, poll workers, and voters. The most important thing that you can do is VOTE. Turnout for your primary and general elections.
Candidate checklist
Confirm your name is spelled correctly at the state and or county offices and that your name is pronounced correctly for any disability devices; confirm that your name is on ALL sample ballots that are published with the public notice.
Review your state statute and rules for all deadlines- e.g., Canvassing of your counties, state, and when challenges and legal filings need to be submitted, recounts, post-election audit, absentee ballot processing, provisional ballot reviews, absentee deadlines, etc.
Send performance letters to the SEC, AG office, etc., cc: DOJ
Interview attorneys proactively who have election experience to ensure a timely challenge, if necessary.
Ensure your party/campaign has sufficient poll watchers/workers; recruit as needed.
Confirm that your name is in every precinct where you qualify and all ballot styles for that precinct.
L&A Testing*: Attend and ensure that the counties are following your state laws; FOIA all results
Does the test deck include:
Every Ballot Type—Ballot on demand, pre-printed, and all barcoded style ballot for in-person voting?Every Ballot Style/Precinct?
Is a different number of votes assigned to each contest group (every person or question) on the ballot? If any contest has no votes selected, it is an invalid test; i.e., every option for each race must be tested.
Undervotes?–Instances where the voter didn’t vote for a candidate or for fewer than the required candidates or selections?
Overvotes? — apply mainly to absentee or hand-marked ballots and occur when the person voted for more people or options than indicated.
Blank Ballots? How many? (at least 10)
Folded ballots? (absentee ballots should be tested as well) This ensures that no folds cross over the ovals
Write-In votes?
Unique number of votes cast per candidate/per race?
Poll workers and observers needed for machine testing, early voting, and election day, absentee ballot processing, post-election audits, and canvassing/certification at the county where provisional votes are reviewed, as well as any recounts!
FOIA early voting poll lists and post-election poll tapes
Attend post-election audits; ideally, these should be conducted for races/precincts that are close and not for unopposed races.
Consider requesting a hand count for precincts that are close.
SC Specific Information for Candidates
Here is a structured, election-administration–level overview of key dates, statutory timing rules, and procedural deadlines for the 2026 South Carolina state primary (June 9, 2026), along with what is fixed statewide vs. varies by county.
Core Election Timeline (2026 SC Primary)
Primary Election Day: June 9, 2026
Runoff (if needed): June 23, 2026
Absentee Voting Deadlines
Requesting absentee ballot
Deadline: May 29, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Statutory rule:
In person: up to 11 days before the election
By mail: must be received ~4 days prior to the Emergency absentee voting
June 5–June 9, 2026 (hospitalized voters) Returning absentee ballots
Due: June 9, 2026 (by close of polls, 7 PM) must be received by Election Day (not postmarked) except for UOCAVA (+2 days)
Early Voting May 26 – June 5, 2026
Voter Registration
Deadline: May 11, 2026, by mail
Sample Ballots
Available via the state voter portal (SCVotes) once ballots are finalized.
Typical timing:
~45–30 days before election, generally late April–mid May 2026
Logic & Accuracy (L&A) Testing (see law below SC Code § 7-13-1390)
Required before every election AND before and after the count. Public notice requirements 5 days prior to testing. Conducted by county election offices
Must be:
Publicly noticed
Open to observers
Timing (typical SC practice)
1–3 weeks before early voting begins
So for the 2026 primary:
Likely mid–late May 2026
👉 Exact dates vary by county and are posted locally.
Canvassing & Certification
County Canvass
Begins immediately after the election
Must be completed:
By Thursday/Friday after the election (~June 12–13, 2026) (statutory window: within a few days)
State Canvass (State Election Commission)
Typically:
~1 week after the election
Around June 17–18, 2026
👉 Certification occurs after county reports are finalized.
What happens in canvass
Provisional ballot adjudication
Absentee final acceptance/rejection
Reconciliation:
ballots cast vs. voters checked in
Certification of county results
👉 This is THE key challenge window
Recounts & Challenges
Automatic recount threshold
South Carolina law:
≤ 1% margin triggers recount (for many offices)
Types of recounts
Machine recount (automatic)
Hand recount (rare, ordered by court)
Protest/contest deadlines
County-level protest
Filed with the county board:
Within 48 hours after the results are declared
Appeal to the state
Filed with State Election Commission:
Shortly after the county decision (tight statutory window)
Judicial challenge
Filed in court after administrative remedies
👉 These timelines are very compressed (days, not weeks).
Ballot certification
Occurs after filing closes and challenges are resolved
Drives:
sample ballot release
L&A testing prep
Poll Worker Deadlines
Counties must:
Recruit & appoint poll managers
Train prior to early voting
Typical timeline:
Recruitment: March–May
Final assignments: ~2–3 weeks before the election
Additional Operational Milestones
Absentee ballots sent out
Federal requirement:
45 days before the election (for military/overseas voters)
For 2026:
~late April 2026
Ballot printing & distribution
Late April → early May
🧭 Summary Timeline
Phase
Date (2026)
Candidate filing opens
March 16
Absentee ballots begin mailing
~Late April
Sample ballots available
Late April–May
L&A testing (public)
Mid–late May
Voter registration deadline
May 11
Absentee request deadline
May 29
Early voting
May 26 – June 5
Election Day
June 9
Absentee return deadline
June 9
County canvass
~June 10–13
State certification
~June 17–18
Runoff (if needed)
June 23
2. Poll Observer Checklist
Opening of polls: Were you able to observe the “0” tape at the opening of the election? Were the ballot boxes empty and secure?
If your state law requires it, review any configuration reports.
If your state law requires it, ensure that the L&A test was performed pre- and post-tabulator use. (If this is done, they must do an additional 0 tape to clear out the test totals.
Confirm that their equipment list matches the chain-of-custody documents.
Are the security seals on the top of the tabulator and on the ballot boxes intact and unvoided? Seals should not be opened during the election. If any seals need to be removed, is it being documented? Record the security seal numbers.
Does the site have an incident log?
Are poll workers asking for ID?
Were there issues with invalid IDs or people who moved more than 30 days prior to the election? Depends on your state law.
Machine issues or “glitches” where one name is pressed, and another name is registered on the ballot marking device? Is this being documented on the incident log?
Are the tabulators working properly? Were emergency ballots used, or regular ballots needed to be added to the provisional ballot box without being counted by the tabulator?
Check that the tabulator count and poll list reconcile at the end of each day of voting: Voters Checked In should = Votes cast + Provisional Ballots + Spoiled Ballots (poll workers should reconcile hourly, if possible.)
End of election night—secure poll tape images—take photos, if possible, for all precincts in the county
Document if a thumb drive is being removed and if they are transmitting election results via modem
Ensure all seals have been documented for all tabulators or ballot boxes, and at the end of the night. Confirm that the parties that transfer these items back to the county are being documented.
Consider having someone document the vehicles and boxes at the county when they arrive, with the seals intact.
Does there appear to be bipartisan representation for poll workers for that precinct or location?
Has any voter been told they’ve already voted? Document the outcome
3. Poll Worker Checklist
Same steps issue as above
Be on the lookout for potential ballot harvesting, groups of people coming in who may have suspect IDs, or being led by one particular person.
Were there any incidents that needed to be reported? (handicap accessibility issues, issues with curbside voting, or machine malfunction?) Other poll workers who were not abiding by the laws? Any technicians or other voters who had access to the machine flash drives, seals, etc.?)
Consider keeping a separate check-in list (paper vote roster) for all voters to reconcile with the electronic poll books; can preprint names in alphabetical order or a blank numerical roster. Make sure to look at the number of voters reported the next day after the polls close – and the votes. Also, check whether the number of registered voters in the county changed the next day. Or if the number of EV votes has changed after EV closes, or even after ED closes. Very important to check everything after the polls close.
Check the total number of registered voters in the county on the poll pads each hour during the day. Does it change? Record it. Also, the mail/absentee ballot numbers and early vote numbers. The number of early voting (in-person) should stay fixed after the early vote period.
If your state law requires, do not initial more ballots than the number of voters in the line. Spoil any stamped or initialed ballots at the end of the night.
Or if your state doesn’t initial or stamp each ballot document, unused/spoiled ballots.
4. Voter Checklist
Research the candidates. Contact your local party to see where any debates are taking place.
Check the candidates’ voting records if they are current office holders.
Read local respected news articles on the candidates.
Research the candidates’ websites. Call them if need be or try to meet them at a candidate forum.
Review the sample ballot for your precinct.
Review campaign finance reports—Open Secrets, or the federal/state campaign finance sites or FEC.gov
Don’t rely on friends’ opinions unless they are extremely knowledgeable.
VOTE! Turnout is key, especially in the primaries; bring your ID and some friends
Don’t necessarily rely on your party’s endorsements; be an independent thinker
Consider serving as a poll watcher for a campaign or as a poll worker.
Encourage your friends and family members to vote!
Did the outcome match the polling data?
The best way to beat a potential cheat is to overwhelm the polls. Here is a related blog post:
(a) The election officials of each county shall cause the proper ballot labels to be placed on each vote recorder which is to be used in any election within such county and shall cause each vote recorder to be placed in proper order for voting.
(b) The election officials of each county shall appoint one custodian of vote recorders, and such deputy custodians as may be necessary, whose duty it shall be to prepare the vote recorders to be used in county elections. Each custodian and deputy custodian shall receive such compensation as provided for in the annual county appropriation. Such custodian shall, under the direction of the county election officials, have charge of and represent them during the preparation of the vote recorders as required by this article, and he and the deputy custodians, whose duty it shall be to assist him in the discharge of his duties, shall serve at the pleasure of the county election officials.
(c) On or before the third day preceding an election, the county election officials shall have the tabulating machines tested to ascertain that they will correctly count the votes cast for all offices and on all questions. Public notice of the time and place of the test shall be made at least five days prior thereto. Representatives of political parties and bodies, candidates, news media and the public shall be permitted to observe such tests. The test shall be conducted by processing a pre-audited group of ballot cards clearly marked for such purpose, not to exceed fifty for each candidate or question, so punched or marked as to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each question, and shall include for each office one or more ballot cards which have votes in excess of or less than the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the tabulating machine to reject such votes. The tabulating machine shall not be approved unless it produces an errorless counting. If any error is detected, the cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made before the machine is approved. The same test shall be repeated immediately before the start of the official count of the ballot cards and at the conclusion of such count. The county election officials or custodian shall also prepare the vote recorders for voting at the various polling places to be used in the election. In preparing the vote recorders, they shall arrange the recorders and the ballot labels so that they meet all requirements of voting and counting at such primary or election, thoroughly inspect and test the vote recorders, and file a certificate, as prescribed by the State Election Commission, in the office of the county election officials that the recorders are in proper order with correct ballot labels.
(d) Prior to the election, no county election officials, nor custodian, nor other employee shall in any way prevent free access to and examination of all voting machines which are to be used at the election under proper supervision and, at reasonable times, by any interested persons.
Laura Scharr and Julie Baker traveled to Simsonville to address the following issues regarding elections:
Julie spoke about why we cannot use electronic, mobile, internet, blockchain, or lottery-style voting systems.
Since electronic voting is not trustworthy and can be infiltrated by nefarious actors to cheat at scale, Laura described the path we do need to take — the Gold Standard for elections.
We then demonstrated our Gold Standard Tally method, and the whole room participated. We then broke people up into a few tables to practice on their own.
The only way we fix our elections and maintain our republic is through a National Emergency Authorization for federal elections that bans electronic voting and moves to a decentralized, locally controlled system controlled by the people.
Computer expert Dr. Walter Daugherity exposes patterns of potential fraud across states + deep dive into Bexar County’s “Bexar anomaly” (synthetic IDs, fake check-ins?)
This MUST-WATCH video will change how you see elections forever. Watch NOW before it’s censored and send it to anyone who claims that there are no issues with our voting systems. We have to move to the gold standard for elections asaap!
Credit: Lori Gallagher, Dr. Andrew Paquette, Dr. Daugherity. We NEED hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots NOW. One day voting. Verified citizens only.
If our votes don’t count accurately, we’ve lost the very soul of our Republic. That’s why on Thursday—February 26, 2026—we gathered at the State House with passionate patriots from every corner of our state, Congressman Ralph Norman, Attorney General candidate David Pascoe, and State Representative Rob Harris to demand better.
We’re not just complaining—we’re offering solutions. The current system falls short: black-box electronic machines owned by opaque corporations hide how votes are counted. Voters can’t see, verify, or trust the process. National polls show nearly two-thirds of Americans worry these machines could be hacked or manipulated remotely. In South Carolina, limited observer access, weak chain of custody, unattended machines, and inaccessible audit data only fuel the distrust.
But doubt doesn’t have to win. Momentum is building for real change. We presented our vision: the Gold Standard Elections Act (H.4295), a proven path to secure, transparent, verifiable, and accessible elections for eligible voters only.
Key pillars of the Gold Standard:
Strict government-issued photo ID with no exceptions
Citizenship-only registration and voting
Hand-marked paper ballots—no computers or machines
Hand-counting at the precinct level using our efficient, tested GS Tally method (cheaper than machines, finished by midnight!)
Clean voter rolls, small precincts (max 1,500 voters), paper poll books
South Carolina can lead the South—and the nation—by passing H.4295. When every vote is counted publicly and verifiably, confidence returns, turnout rises, and our Republic thrives.
Watch the full press conference video here:
This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s about providing elections for the people by the people. Join us. Contact your legislators. Demand the Gold Standard. Together, let’s make South Carolina the beacon of election excellence.
Thank you for standing with us. Our best days are ahead when our citizens have confidence that their vote counts.
Congress is responding to calls for greater election integrity and has recently introduced two bills that would revolutionize federal elections.
The SAVE Act, which was passed in May of 2025, was revised to add Voter ID requirements for voting, and reintroduced on 1-29-26. In addition, the Make Elections Great Again Act was introduced on 1-29-26 and codifies similar provisions for proof of citizenship and Voter ID, while also addressing other measures to reduce potential election mail fraud.
Here is a summary of both bills and our take on them.
Congress must pass the SAVE Act ASAP, and if the MEGA bill can be amended, that would be a good step forward in securing elections. Ideally, we must move to the gold standard of elections.
In other words, we must get rid of electronic voting systems! Here is why.
Here is a video that summarizes the two bills, and a chart below that provides a quick reference for their basic components.
Save Amerca Act
MEGA Act
Election Integrity Bills
Save America Act “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act” 1-29-26 introduction Effective upon enactment
Requires that non-citizens be removed from voter rolls using the DHS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) system, the Social Security Administration, and State IDs that confirm citizenship status; must comply with federal requests for information to ascertain citizenship
Voter rolls/Database sharing
Preservation of records to include audit records, certification records, chain of custody, incident reports, reconciliation records, return envelopes, tabulation reports, tech records, and vote-by-mail records.
State shall match voter registration data to Motor vehicle data, Motor Vehicle shall match with Social Security data, and State shall receive data from AG for felonies/etc. DHS on citizenship records. May use the SAVE system to confirm citizenship. DHS shall conduct investigations to determine removal from lists if unlawfully registered in States, and AG shall share info of potential fraud with
Citizenship to register
Must have proof of citizenship when registering to vote
Must have proof of citizenship when registering to vote
Documentary proof
Required to vote in person for federal election. Absentee voting- must include a copy of an eligible photo ID with the request and submission of the ballot
Include documentary proof of citizenship plus last 4 of the SS# and current valid DL or documentary proof of residence in the state If no SS# a unique identifying voter number will be assigned applicant may sign attestation under penalty of perjury with an affidavit.
Removal of noncitizens
Upon receipt of documentation that the registrant is a noncitizen
Photo ID
US passport, REAL ID, US Military ID, valid government-issued photo card showing place of birth in the US, government-issued valid photo ID with birth certificate. Must provide a sworn affidavit if you have no proof, and provide other evidence that sufficiently establishes citizenship.
Each state shall at least every 30 days verify eligibility of registrants through all state resources and the SAVE system and remove those who are ineligible by reason of 1) request 2) criminal conviction or mental incapacity pursuant to state law 3) death 4) change in residence 5) citizenship status 6) duplicate registrant States shall remove names of ineligible no later than 15 days prior to each general election. Requires applicants for motor vehicle driver’s licenses in a new state to indicate whether that state is their residence for voting purposes. Citizenship should be indicated on drivers’ licenses There must be a notification to state election officials of those who were recused from jury duty due to non-citizenship
Other
Must provide to vote in person, the vote is provisional, but allows a religious objection affidavit. Other than in person, you must submit a copy of a valid photo ID with the ballot or the last four digits of your SS# and an affidavit. Exceptions: active duty absent uniformed services voter who is absent from the US on the date of the election; Disabled or Elderly
Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) at DMVs—where eligible citizens are registered unless they opt out—would be severely limited or gutted in practice, as people would need to present citizenship documents during routine DMV visits, which most don’t bring for license renewals or address changes. The bill amends Section 5 of the NVRA to make DMV license applications subject to the new citizenship proof rules, meaning states can’t process voter registration through DMV without that proof.
Record retention requirements
Ballots must be voter-verifiable (NEED TO include amendment that differentiates between a true “paper ballot” and a “Ballot Summary Card”
Abolished barcode tracking for Mail-in Ballots
The requirement is for voter-verifiable paper ballots that allow the use of ballot-marking devices but also provide the option to manually mark each ballot at every in-person location. Can be counted manually, OR by a counting device, OR read by a ballot tabulator. The paper that comes out of a BMD is a ballot summary card. NOT a paper ballot
Ranked Choice Voting
Prohibited
Make Elections Great Again. Introduced 1-29-26. Applies to elections held in 2027 and beyond
Must provide to vote in person, the vote is provisional, but allows a religious objection affidavit. Other than in person, must submit a copy of a valid photo ID with the ballot or the last four digits of SS# and an affidavit. Exceptions: active duty absent uniformed services voter who is absent from the US on the date of the election; Disabled or Elderly
This week, both the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee and House Judiciary Committee held important discussions on election-related legislation.
Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration (S. 128):
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on S. 128, South Carolina’s SAVE Act equivalent. Sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson (R-York), the bill requires satisfactory proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a driver’s license indicating citizenship, passport, birth certificate, or other approved documents—when registering to vote in state elections.
This directly supports the 2024 constitutional amendment (overwhelmingly passed by voters) that restricts voting in South Carolina elections to U.S. citizens only. The bill adds enforceable protocols to ensure voter registration complies with this mandate.
After discussion and testimony, the committee carried the bill over. Senator Thompson intends to propose minor amendments to address any potential constitutional issues and position it for stronger passage moving forward.
Closing Primaries: Bills H. 3643 and H. 3310:
In the House Judiciary Committee, a packed hearing addressed H. 3643 and H. 3310, which seek to close partisan primaries by limiting participation to voters registered with the respective party (or declaring independent status).
The discussion drew strong public turnout and passionate testimony. Supporters highlighted that taxpayer-funded primaries should reflect party members’ choices, free from interference from outsiders. Critics raised concerns about forcing people to choose affiliations or advocated alternatives such as party conventions.
Rep. Brandon Newton noted early on the major obstacles:
The Governor has signaled he would veto the bills.
The Senate appears uninterested in pursuing them this session.
Deep divisions persist within the Republican Party on the issue.
Committee Chair Jay Jordan recognized the range of views expressed and stressed the importance of reconciliation, revisions, and building a broader consensus before any advancement. It looks like closed primary legislation is dead for this session.
These hearings underscore the active debates around election security and party rules in South Carolina. We will continue to track progress and share more as things develop—whether through committee action, floor votes, or public input opportunities. Your voice continues to play a key role!
In a world that’s moving faster than ever, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by politics. Many of us are juggling work, family, and daily life, leaving little time to delve into election details. Others are simply frustrated with the constant gridlock, scandals, and broken promises. But here’s the thing: we all share a common goal—to leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. Whether it’s cleaner air, stronger schools, or a fairer economy, our votes shape that future. The good news? Becoming an informed voter doesn’t require hours of your day or a political science degree. It just takes a few smart steps to build confidence in your choices. Otherwise, we risk more of the same: stagnant taxes, unchecked fraud, and endless frustration.
This election year—2026—is particularly crucial, especially if you’re in a state like South Carolina, where gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, and state legislative races could redefine priorities on issues like education funding, healthcare access, and economic development. Low voter turnout in past cycles (particularly in the primaries) has often handed incumbents wins, perpetuating the status quo. But by engaging thoughtfully, you can help drive real change. Below, I’ll outline practical tips to get started, drawing on reliable sources and adding strategies like fact-checking to make your vote even more impactful.
Step 1: Research the Issues and Candidates Thoroughly
Knowledge is power, and starting with solid research ensures your vote aligns with what matters most to you. Don’t just skim headlines—dig a bit deeper.
Start with Local Resources: In South Carolina, the scstatehouse.gov website is an invaluable tool. It offers a user-friendly way to navigate bills, voting records, and committee meetings. For example, you can search for bills by keyword (like “education reform” or “tax relief”) and see how your representatives have voted. This transparency helps you spot inconsistencies between what politicians say and what they do.
See this tutorial below on how to navigate the scstatehouse.gov website.
Explore All Candidates in Your Area: Head to their websites or contact their offices to schedule a meeting or phone call to discuss their views on topics important to you.
Align with Your Viewpoints: List your top priorities (e.g., environmental protection, criminal justice reform, or infrastructure). Then, compare candidates’ stances. Remember, informed voting means looking beyond party lines—focus on policies that resonate with you.
Adding a layer of relevance: With 2026 bringing potential ballot measures on topics like voting rights or school choice in various states, research these too.
Step 2: Engage Actively—It Doesn’t Have to Be Time-Consuming
Research is great, but engagement turns knowledge into influence. The beauty is that many actions take minimal effort but yield big results.
Email Your Representatives: It only takes a few minutes to send a note to your state reps or U.S. senators about a bill that’s important to you. Use Congress.gov or scstatehouse.gov to find contact information and track bills in real time. For instance, if you’re concerned about healthcare costs, include a specific bill number in your email to make your point more effectively.
Stay Updated on Local Politics: Dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to reading articles from trusted South Carolina sources like FITSNews.com (for investigative journalism), Palmetto State Watch (for in-depth analysis on key issues), and, of course, check out our own South Carolina Safe Elections Substack newsletter for any breaking news on elections. These outlets cover everything from corruption probes to policy debates, giving you context beyond national news.
Meet Face-to-Face: Schedule a quick meeting with your state representative or senator—it often takes just an hour. Call their office to set it up, and come prepared with questions on key topics. Cross-check their responses against their voting record on scstatehouse.gov to ensure consistency. This personal interaction can reveal a lot about their character and priorities.
Attend Candidate Events: Listen to candidates speak at town halls or forums. Check their social media (like X or Facebook) for event announcements, or sign up for newsletters via their campaign websites. In 2026, with races heating up, many events will be virtual, making it easier to join from home.
Volunteer or Contribute: If a candidate excites you, volunteer for door-knocking, phone banking, or even a small donation. This hands-on involvement not only boosts turnout but also deepens your understanding of the issues.
Step 3: Avoid Common Pitfalls and Myths
Being informed means steering clear of shortcuts that can lead you astray.
Don’t Rely on Friends or Neighbors: It’s tempting to ask around, but this is lazy voting. Your circle might not be as researched as you assume, and biases can creep in. Do your own homework instead.
Skip Name Recognition: Voting for someone just because their name sounds familiar often favors well-funded incumbents. Dig into their records—challengers fighting corruption or the status quo deserve a fair look, especially in low-turnout primaries. Do we really want to continue electing family dynasties?
Prioritize Primaries: Turnout in primaries is notoriously low (often under 20% in some areas), which benefits established politicians. In South Carolina’s 2026 primaries (June 9th), your vote carries extra weight. Research anti-corruption candidates or those challenging entrenched interests—they could shake things up.
Why It Matters: Building Confidence and Driving Change
By following these steps, you’ll vote with confidence, knowing your choice reflects your values and research. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. In 2026, with national issues like the economy, illegal immigration, crime, and fraud intersecting with state-specific challenges in South Carolina, informed voters can push for accountable leadership.
So get started today. Why wait? Share this article with a friend, and let’s build a more engaged electorate. Your voice—and vote—can make the difference for generations to come. What issue will you research first?
