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South Carolina Secretary of State election, 2018 (June 12 Democratic primary)

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South Carolina Secretary of State
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 30, 2018
Primary: June 12, 2018
Primary runoff: June 26, 2018 (if needed)
General: November 6, 2018
Pre-election incumbent(s):
Mark Hammond (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in South Carolina
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2018
Impact of term limits in 2018
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
South Carolina
executive elections
Governor

Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Comptroller
Agriculture commissioner
Superintendent of education

A Democratic Party primary election took place on June 12, 2018, in South Carolina to determine which candidate would run as the party's nominee in the state's November 6, 2018, secretary of state election.

For more information about secretary of state elections in 2018, click here.

SETTING THE STAGE
  • Heading into the 2018 election, the sitting secretary of state was Mark Hammond (R), who was first elected in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Hammond announced on May 2, 2017, that he would seek election to a fifth term in 2018.
  • In 2018, South Carolina was a Republican trifecta. It had held this status since former Gov. Mark Sanford (R) took office in 2003. South Carolina was also a Republican triplex.
  • The Republican candidate won South Carolina in each of the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016. The widest margin of victory was George W. Bush's 17 percent margin in 2004 while the narrowest was John McCain's 9 percent margin in 2008.


    • Candidates and election results

    Melvin Whittenburg advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina Secretary of State on June 12, 2018.

    Democratic primary election

    Democratic primary for South Carolina Secretary of State

    Candidate
    ✔
    Image of Melvin Whittenburg
    		Melvin Whittenburg

    There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

    Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
    If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

    Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

    Context of the 2018 election

    Past elections

    2014

    See also: South Carolina secretary of state election, 2014

    Ginny Deerin was unopposed in the 2014 Democratic primary election.[1]

    Voter information

    How the primary works

    A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. South Carolina utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary. Voters must take an oath affirming that they have not voted in another party's primary.[2][3]

    For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

    Poll times

    In South Carolina, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[4]


    Registration requirements

    Check your voter registration status here.

    To register to vote in South Carolina, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the county and precinct where he or she is registering, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. People who have been declared mentally incompetent by court order, are imprisoned, or are still serving a sentence for a felony conviction are ineligible to register to vote.[5] The deadline for registration is 30 days before the election. Prospective voters may register using one of the following methods:

    • Online,
    • In person at the county board of elections or one of the following locations:
      • Armed Forces Recruiting Stations
      • Commission for the Blind
      • Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
      • Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
      • Department of Health and Environmental Control
      • Department of Health and Human Services
      • Department of Mental Health
      • Department of Motor Vehicles
      • Department of Social Services
      • Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
      • Vocational Rehabilitation Department
    • Returning a voter registration form by email, fax, or mail to the county board of voter registration. Note that mailed applications must be postmarked by at least 30 days before the election.[5]


    Automatic registration

    South Carolina does not practice automatic voter registration.[2]

    Online registration

    See also: Online voter registration

    South Carolina has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

    Same-day registration

    South Carolina does not allow same-day voter registration.[2]

    Residency requirements

    Prospective voters must be residents of the county and precinct in which they are registering to vote.[5]

    Verification of citizenship

    See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

    South Carolina does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.[5] An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

    All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[6] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

    Verifying your registration

    The South Carolina Election Commission allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting the MyscVOTES website.


    Voter ID requirements

    South Carolina requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[4][7]

    Voters can present the following forms of identification:

    • SC Driver’s License
    • SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
      • includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
    • SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
    • U.S. Passport
    • Federal Military ID
      • includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Card

    Voters can obtain a free photo ID from a local DMV office or a county elections office.[8]

    Early voting

    South Carolina permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

    Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

    Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

    Absentee voting

    According to the South Carolina Election Commission's website, only the following types of voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail:[9]

    “
    • Persons with employment obligations which prevent them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons who will be absent from their county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons with physical disabilities.
    • Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
    • Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them (Learn more about procedures related to Military and Overseas Citizens).
    • Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election.[10]
    		 ”

    To vote absentee, voters must first request an application for the absentee ballot. Application requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. The absentee ballot application must then be completed and returned to the voter's county voter registration office by 5:00 p.m. at least 11 days before Election Day. Once completed, the ballot must be received by the county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.[9] According to the South Carolina Election Commission's website, only the following types of voters are eligible to vote absentee/by mail:[9]

    “
    • Persons with employment obligations which prevent them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons who will be absent from their county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
    • Persons with physical disabilities.
    • Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
    • Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them (Learn more about procedures related to Military and Overseas Citizens).
    • Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election.[10]
    		 ”

    To vote absentee, voters must first request an application for the absentee ballot. Application requests can be made in person, by phone, or by mail. The absentee ballot application must then be completed and returned to the voter's county voter registration office by 5:00 p.m. at least 11 days before Election Day. Once completed, the ballot must be received by the county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.[9]

    State overview

    Partisan control

    This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in South Carolina heading into the 2018 elections.

    Congressional delegation

    State executives

    State legislature

    • Republicans controlled both chambers of the South Carolina State Legislature. They had a 80-44 majority in the state House and a 27-19 majority in the state Senate.

    Trifecta status

    2018 elections

    See also: South Carolina elections, 2018

    South Carolina held elections for the following positions in 2018:

    Demographics

    Demographic data for South Carolina
     South CarolinaU.S.
    Total population:4,894,834316,515,021
    Land area (sq mi):30,0613,531,905
    Race and ethnicity**
    White:67.2%73.6%
    Black/African American:27.5%12.6%
    Asian:1.4%5.1%
    Native American:0.3%0.8%
    Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
    Two or more:2%3%
    Hispanic/Latino:5.3%17.1%
    Education
    High school graduation rate:85.6%86.7%
    College graduation rate:25.8%29.8%
    Income
    Median household income:$45,483$53,889
    Persons below poverty level:22%11.3%
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
    Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in South Carolina.
    **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

    As of July 2016, South Carolina's three largest cities were Charleston (pop. est. 135,000), Columbia (pop. est. 133,000), and North Charleston (pop. est. 111,000).[11]

    State election history

    This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in South Carolina from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the South Carolina Election Commission.

    Historical elections

    Presidential elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of the presidential election in South Carolina every year from 2000 to 2016.

    Election results (President of the United States), South Carolina 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2016 Republican Party Donald Trump 54.9% Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 40.7% 14.2%
    2012 Republican Party Mitt Romney 54.6% Democratic Party Barack Obama 44.1% 10.5%
    2008 Republican Party John McCain 53.9% Democratic Party Barack Obama 44.9% 9.0%
    2004 Republican Party George W. Bush 58.0% Democratic Party John Kerry 40.9% 17.1%
    2000 Republican Party George W. Bush 56.8% Democratic Party Al Gore 40.9% 15.9%

    U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in South Carolina from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

    Election results (U.S. Senator), South Carolina 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2016 Republican Party Tim Scott 60.6% Democratic Party Thomas Dixon 36.9% 23.7%
    2014[12] Republican Party Tim Scott 61.1% Democratic Party Joyce Dickerson 37.1% 24.0%
    2014 Republican Party Lindsey Graham 54.3% Democratic Party Brad Hutto 38.8% 15.5%
    2010 Republican Party Jim DeMint 61.5% Democratic Party Alvin Greene 27.7% 33.8%
    2008 Republican Party Lindsey Graham 57.5% Democratic Party Bob Conley 42.3% 15.2%
    2004 Republican Party Jim DeMint 53.7% Democratic Party Inez Tenenbaum 44.1% 9.6%
    2002 Republican Party Lindsey Graham 54.4% Democratic Party Alex Sanders 44.2% 10.2%

    Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in South Carolina.

    Election results (Governor), South Carolina 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2014 Republican Party Nikki Haley 55.9% Democratic Party Vincent Sheheen 41.4% 14.5%
    2010 Republican Party Nikki Haley 51.4% Democratic Party Vincent Sheheen 46.9% 4.5%
    2006 Republican Party Mark Sanford 55.1% Democratic Party Kerry Healey 44.8% 10.3%
    2002 Republican Party Mark Sanford 52.8% Democratic Party Jim Hodges 47.0% 5.8%

    Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent South Carolina in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

    Congressional delegation, South Carolina 2000-2016
    Year Republicans Republicans (%) Democrats Democrats (%) Balance of power
    2016 Republican Party 6 85.7% Democratic Party 1 14.3% R+5
    2014 Republican Party 6 85.7% Democratic Party 1 14.3% R+5
    2012 Republican Party 6 85.7% Democratic Party 1 14.3% R+5
    2010 Republican Party 5 83.3% Democratic Party 1 16.7% R+4
    2008 Republican Party 4 66.7% Democratic Party 2 33.3% R+2
    2006 Republican Party 4 66.7% Democratic Party 2 33.3% R+2
    2004 Republican Party 4 66.7% Democratic Party 2 33.3% R+2
    2002 Republican Party 4 66.7% Democratic Party 2 33.3% R+2
    2000 Republican Party 4 66.7% Democratic Party 2 33.3% R+2

    Trifectas, 1992-2017

    A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

    South Carolina Party Control: 1992-2025
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-three years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
    Governor R R R R R R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    Senate D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    House D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R


    Pivot Counties

    See also: Pivot Counties by state

    Five of 46 South Carolina counties—10.9 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

    Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
    County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
    Barnwell County, South Carolina 5.16% 5.33% 1.65%
    Calhoun County, South Carolina 2.83% 4.31% 3.55%
    Chester County, South Carolina 4.83% 10.58% 8.30%
    Colleton County, South Carolina 8.49% 0.19% 0.53%
    McCormick County, South Carolina 3.32% 3.60% 6.08%

    In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won South Carolina with 54.9 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 40.7 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, South Carolina cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 53.3 percent of the time. In that same time frame, South Carolina supported Democratic candidates for president more often than Republican candidates, 53.3 to 43.3 percent. South Carolina favored Republicans in every presidential election between 2000 and 2016.

    Presidential results by legislative district

    The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in South Carolina. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns show the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns show the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[13][14]

    In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 39 out of 124 state House districts in South Carolina with an average margin of victory of 32.8 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 38 out of 124 state House districts in South Carolina with an average margin of victory of 28.3 points. Clinton won one district controlled by a Republican heading into the 2018 elections.
    In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 85 out of 124 state House districts in South Carolina with an average margin of victory of 28.7 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 86 out of 124 state House districts in South Carolina with an average margin of victory of 30.1 points. Trump won seven districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


    See also

    South Carolina government:

    Elections:

    Ballotpedia exclusives:

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2014 Statewide Primary Election," accessed September 29, 2017
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 NCSL,"State Primary Election Types," accessed September 24, 2024 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "ncsl" defined multiple times with different content
    3. ↑ South Carolina Legislature,"South Carolina Code of Laws Unannotated § 7-9-10," accessed September 24, 2024
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 South Carolina Election Commission, "FAQs for the 2024 General Election," accessed August 20, 2024
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 South Carolina Election Commission, “Register to Vote,” accessed May 2, 2023
    6. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
    7. ↑ Justia, "SC Code § 7-13-710 (2022)," accessed May 2, 2023
    8. ↑ South Carolina Elections Commission, "FAQs for the 2024 General Election, accessed August 13, 2024
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 South Carolina State Election Commission, "Absentee Voting," accessed May 2, 2023
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    11. ↑ South Carolina Demographics, "South Carolina Cities by Population," accessed September 5, 2018
    12. ↑ Special election
    13. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
    14. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
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