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Debate in South Carolina over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in South Carolina in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in South Carolina

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in South Carolina.

  • Representatives Stewart Jones (R), Jonathon Hill (R), and Josiah Magnuson (R) (WPDE): Representatives Stewart Jones (R), Jonathon Hill (R), and Josiah Magnuson (R) wrote a letter to Governor Henry McMaster expressing their concern about the state lockdown and its economic impact on the state.

    "While we realize that COVID-19 is an extremely deadly virus that we must take measures to limit its transmission and help those affected, we respectfully submit that forcing the economy to a government-induced halt will have even more damaging consequences for the people of South Carolina. ... [W]e can not support labeling businesses as 'non-essential'—much less ordering them to close." - "Three SC lawmakers push Gov. McMaster to 'safely end the shutdown'," April 10, 2020.

  • Governor Henry McMaster (R) (KIRO 7): Governor Henry McMaster (R) announced on a Monday a plan to reopen the economy titled, "Accelerate South Carolina," with the aim of managing the health risks and avoiding long-lasting negative economic impacts. He said the plan will help the state "recover more quickly than any other states in the country." - "SC gov rolls out plans for post-outbreak economic reopening," April 20, 2020.


Debate over school closures in South Carolina

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in South Carolina.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over reopening plans in South Carolina

See also: Debate over reopening plans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on reopening plans in South Carolina.

  • S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson (Hilton Head SC Island Packet): S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson responded to residents' frustration that some cities mandated masks while others did not.

    "Many people are upset about these ordinances and I can understand their frustration. However, just because you believe something is bad government does not make it unconstitutional government." - "SC cities are pushing mask requirements. Hilton Head and Beaufort Co. leaders aren’t," June 24, 2020.

  • Aiken SC Standard Editorial Board (Aiken SC Standard): We should listen to local public health officials and not let our guard down on masks and social distancing.

    "Although many businesses have reopened and life is returning to normal in many ways, we’re still not out of the woods yet. Now is not the time to stop wearing protective face coverings and practicing social distancing." - "Editorial: Face masks, social distancing can help save lives," June 9, 2020.

  • Orangeburg SC Times and Democrat Editorial Board (Orangeburg SC Times and Democrat): "Though there will be great reluctance in South Carolina and elsewhere to again implement emergency measures for COVID-19, the study on social distancing indicates our leaders must be prepared to mandate countermeasures as needed to protect the public health." - "Coronavirus delays can be deadly," June 17, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Coronavirus danger is still with us" - Orangeburg Times and Democrat, June 12, 2020


Debate over religious service restrictions in South Carolina

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in South Carolina.


Debate over election policy in South Carolina

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in South Carolina.

  • State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D-42) (Twitter): State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D-82) wrote an open letter to Marci Andino, director of the South Carolina Election Commission, insisting that the state adopt vote-by-mail procedures for the June primary and November general elections.

    "I believe that it is prudent to put a plan and process in place where South Carolina voters can cast their votes solely via mail-in ballots for the June Primary and November General elections. This will enable us to confront the public health threat to our state, and the health of South Carolinians, while also maintaining an avenue for the people to exercise their fundamental democratic right to vote." - "Post by Marlon Kimpson," March 25, 2020.

  • Brittany Gibson (The American Prospect): South Carolina is one of 11 states that allows vote-by-mail with an excuse. In 2016, 600 South Carolina mail-in ballots were not counted because they lacked a witness signature. If self-isolation continues into the November election season, this problem could be exacerbated as voters try to meet the witness signature requirement. - "What South Carolina’s Absentee Voting System Shows the U.S.," April 15, 2020.

  • Susan Dunn, legal director of ACLU South Carolina (WIS 10 News): "The South Carolina absentee process is a little peculiar. One of the big problems is that the South Carolina Election Commission has interpreted the excuses that are available by law as not including, ‘I am staying home because of a pandemic.’ Their interpretation is you only get an excuse to vote if you are actually sick, and that creates a real problem." - "ACLU files lawsuit against SEC, governor for not letting all South Carolinians vote absentee amid pandemic," April 28, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "'I want my vote to be counted:' in South Carolina, a peek at COVID-19's impact on elections" - The Center for Public Integrity, June 22, 2020


Debate over parks and outdoors in South Carolina

See also: Debate over parks and outdoors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on parks and outdoors in South Carolina.

  • State Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107) (Facebook): State Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107), who represents part of Myrtle Beach, wrote an open letter to Governor Henry McMaster (R) insisting that he open up public access to beaches with temporary social distancing measures in place.

    "Reopening public access to our beaches for the use of coastal residents, with prudent temporary measures that ensure social distancing, would be an excellent next step in empowering coastal residents to rebuild our communities that have been devastated by COVID-19 closures." - "Post by Rep. Alan Clemmons," April 17, 2020.

  • Governor Henry McMaster (R) (ABC 15 News): "If compliance remains at the high level it has been, we can [open the beaches] without endangering the population. The rule of law enforcement to dispel groups of three or more that are causing a threat to the public health is still In effects anywhere in the state and of course that includes the beaches." - "SC Governor lifts restrictions on beaches following COVID-19 shutdown," April 20, 2020.


Debate over economic impact in South Carolina

See also: Debate over economic impact during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on economic impact in South Carolina.

  • Scott Baier (USA Today): Scott Baier, professor and chair of the Clemson University Department of Economics, said that the economic impact from the coronavirus in South Carolina is greater than any hurricane that has hit the region as hotel occupancy rates drop to zero.

    "It is not uncommon for professionals to travel to areas of need in times of crises. Following a hurricane, you will have people from power companies and construction companies travel to these areas and stay in hotels. In this case, there were no homes destroyed, and all work and leisure travel has come to a halt. Therefore, the only people traveling and looking for lodging are health care professionals, and they probably prefer to stay in less urbanized areas to reduce the likelihood they get exposed outside of work." - "'Not even hurricanes do this': Coronavirus wrecks South Carolina hotel industry," April 15, 2020.

  • Representatives Stewart Jones (R), Jonathon Hill (R), and Josiah Magnuson (R) (WPDE): Representatives Stewart Jones (R), Jonathon Hill (R), and Josiah Magnuson (R) wrote a letter to Governor Henry McMaster expressing their concern about the state lockdown and its economic impact on the state.

    "While we realize that COVID-19 is an extremely deadly virus that we must take measures to limit its transmission and help those affected, we respectfully submit that forcing the economy to a government-induced halt will have even more damaging consequences for the people of South Carolina. ... [W]e can not support labeling businesses as 'non-essential'—much less ordering them to close." - "Three SC lawmakers push Gov. McMaster to 'safely end the shutdown'," April 10, 2020.


Responses to the coronavirus in South Carolina

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (South Carolina)
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in South Carolina.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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Articles by Type
Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
State responses to coronavirus
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