SOUTH CAROLINA REVENUE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS OFFICE
S
TATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT
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This fiscal impact statement is produced in compliance with the South Carolina Code of Laws and House and Senate rules. The focus of
the analysis is on governmental expenditure and revenue impacts and may not provide a comprehensive summary of the legislation.
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S. 0038
Fiscal Impact Summary
This bill amends existing provisions related to the process of holding special elections to fill
vacancies in office. The bill adjusts the filing period for candidates in both partisan and non-
partisan special elections to seven days. This bill also requires special elections to be held only
on specific enumerated dates. Currently, special elections are conducted a prescribed number of
weeks following the occurrence of a vacancy.
This bill will have no expenditure impact for the State Election Commission as the agency
anticipates being able to manage the additional responsibilities due to this bill with existing staff
and within existing appropriations.
The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) contacted the Municipal Association of South
Carolina (MASC) and all counties to determine the local expenditure impact of this bill. Based
on the responses received, it is anticipated that standardizing dates for special elections will be
managed by local jurisdictions within current appropriations and may result in local expenditure
savings from a reduction in the total number of elections held throughout the year.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact
Introduced on January 14, 2025
State Expenditure
This bill amends existing provisions related to the process of holding special elections to fill
vacancies in office. The bill adjusts the filing period for candidates in both partisan and non-
partisan special elections to seven days. This bill also requires special elections to be held only
on specific enumerated dates. Currently, special elections are conducted on a schedule a
prescribed number of weeks following the occurrence of a vacancy.
The State Election Commission can manage the additional responsibilities due to this bill with
existing staff and within existing appropriations. Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure
impact.
Bill Number: S. 0038 Introduced on Januar
y 14, 2025
Subject: Special Elections
Requestor: Senate Judiciary
RFA Analyst(s): Welsh
Impact Date: January 27, 2025
__________________________________
Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director
DISCLAIMER: THIS FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT REPRESENTS THE OPINION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE
AGENCY OFFICIAL WHO APPROVED AND SIGNED THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS PROVIDED AS INFORMATION TO
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXPRESSION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
Page 2 of 2
S. 0038
State Revenue
N/A
Local Expenditure
This bill amends existing provisions related to the process of holding special elections to fill
vacancies in office. The bill adjusts the filing period for candidates in both partisan and non-
partisan special elections to seven days. This bill also requires special elections to be held only
on specific enumerated dates. Currently, special elections are conducted on a schedule a
prescribed number of weeks following the occurrence of a vacancy.
RFA contacted MASC to determine the local expenditure impact for municipalities. MASC
anticipates the bill will not cause an increase or reduction in costs compared to current law as
special election are standalone, unanticipated events that can be managed within current
appropriations. Therefore, this bill will have no expenditure impact for municipalities.
RFA also contacted all counties to determine the local expenditure impact for counties. The
counties of Beaufort, Florence, Horry, and Kershaw provided a response. All respondents
anticipate this bill may result in savings by standardizing the timing of special elections, and
thereby potentially reducing the total number of elections held. Therefore, this bill may result in
local expenditure savings.
Local Revenue
N/A