South Carolina lawmakers consider bills to close party primaries

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina lawmakers are debating two proposals that could significantly change how voters participate in party primaries.

Currently, the state operates under an open primary system, allowing voters to choose which party’s primary they want to vote in. But some Republican lawmakers are pushing to close primaries, arguing that only party members should select their nominees.

“Only Republicans elect Republicans, only Democrats elect Democrats,” said Rep. James Burns, R-Greenville. “I don’t think the electorate out there wants crossover people coming in and polluting the ideas of the Republican Party.”

One bill would require voters to register with a party or remain unaffiliated. Unaffiliated voters could still participate in a primary, but they would need to register 45 days before the election. The proposal also requires candidates to have voted in two of the last three primaries for the party they seek to represent.


https://www.wistv.com/2026/01/22/south-carolina-lawmakers-consider-bills-close-party-primaries/