It is the intent of the South Carolina General Assembly that the following method be used in determining what candidates have received a majority vote for a particular office and are thereby entitled to be nominated on the first ballot according to the terms of Sections 7-17-600 and 7-13-50.
(1) If a candidate for a single office is to be selected, and there is more than one person seeking nomination, the majority shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all candidates by two. Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a majority, and the candidate who obtains a majority shall be declared the nominee.
(2) If nominees for two or more offices (constituting a group) are to be selected, and there are more persons seeking nomination than there are offices, the majority shall be ascertained by dividing the total vote cast for all candidates by the number of positions to be filled, and by dividing the result by two. Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a majority, and the candidates who obtain a majority shall be declared the nominees in the first primary. If more candidates obtain a majority than there are positions to be filled, those having the highest vote (equal to the number of positions to be filled) shall be declared the nominees.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 23-496.1; 1972 (57) 3087.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 17 - Canvass Of Votes; Certificates And Records Of Results
Section 7-17-10. Meeting and organization of county boards of canvassers.
Section 7-17-20. Canvass of votes.
Section 7-17-30. Protests and contests.
Section 7-17-40. Poll lists shall accompany ballots in protests.
Section 7-17-50. Hearings on protests or contests.
Section 7-17-60. Right to and notice of appeal from decision of county board.
Section 7-17-70. Hearing of appeals.
Section 7-17-80. Statements and returns.
Section 7-17-90. Duplicate statements filed with clerk of county.
Section 7-17-100. Separate statements of votes given for each candidate.
Section 7-17-210. State Election Commission constitutes board.
Section 7-17-220. Meeting of board; telecommunication or electronic communication; public access.
Section 7-17-230. Power to adjourn; procedure when all certified statements have not been received.
Section 7-17-240. Board shall make certified statement of all votes cast.
Section 7-17-260. Cases decided by state board; filing and service.
Section 7-17-270. Hearing of protest or contest; procedure at hearing; notice of decision; appeals.
Section 7-17-280. Mandatory recounts.
Section 7-17-290. Certificate of determination delivered to Secretary of State.
Section 7-17-300. Secretary of State shall record result of canvass.
Section 7-17-310. Copies of determinations transmitted to persons elected and Governor.
Section 7-17-320. Statements printed in public newspapers.
Section 7-17-330. Certain certificates of election sent to Congress.
Section 7-17-340. Record of elected county officers.
Section 7-17-520. Protests and contests generally; filing and service.
Section 7-17-530. Hearing by county executive committee.
Section 7-17-540. Right to and notice of appeal from decision of county executive committee.
Section 7-17-550. Hearing of appeals by state executive committee.
Section 7-17-570. Procedure for hearing protest or contest; notice of decision.
Section 7-17-580. Appeal of protests and contests in municipal primaries.
Section 7-17-590. Board of State Canvassers for Municipal Primaries.
Section 7-17-600. No candidate shall be declared nominated in first primary without majority vote.
Section 7-17-610. What constitutes majority vote.