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South Carolina state legislative special elections, 2016

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2016 State Legislative
Special Elections

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Two seats were vacated in the South Carolina State Legislature in 2016. Both seats were filled through special elections.

Vacancies filled

Breakdown of 2016 special elections

Across the country in 2016, special elections for state legislative positions were held for a variety of reasons:

  • 23 were due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
  • 11 were due to a retirement
  • 11 were due to the incumbent accepting another job
  • 12 were due to a death
  • 4 were due to a conviction
  • 3 were due to filling a remaining term
  • 1 was due to an expulsion

The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:

Partisan Change from Special Elections
Party As of Vacancy After Special Election
     Democratic Party 37 39
     Republican Party 28 24
     Independent 0 2
Total 65 65

Note: The table above reflected information for elections that were held—not total vacant seats.

How vacancies are filled


If there is a vacancy in the South Carolina Legislature, the presiding officer of the chamber in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If candidates plan to seek the nomination through a political party primary or a political party convention, the filing period begins on the third Friday after the vacancy occurs. The qualifying deadline is eight days after the filing period opens.[1]

If a candidate plans to seek the nomination via petition, all signatures must be submitted to the appropriate filing officer no later than 60 days before the election. All signatures must be verified by the filing officer no later than 45 days before the election.[2]

A primary election must be held on the eleventh Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If necessary, a primary runoff must be held on the thirteenth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. The special election is held on the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs. If the twentieth Tuesday after the vacancy occurs is less than 60 days prior to the general election, the special election must be held on the same day as the general election.[2][3]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: South Carolina Const. Art. III, § 25 and South Carolina Code Ann. § 7-13-190


Special elections

May 17, 2016



August 30, 2016



See also

Footnotes