Current Status Bill Number:3230 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950111 Primary Sponsor:Kirsh All Sponsors:Kirsh Drafted Document Number:PT\1592DW.95 Residing Body:Senate Date of Last Amendment:19960307 Subject:Campaign practices, elected officials
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19960522 Read second time, notice of
general amendments
Senate 19960521 Recalled from Committee, 11 SJ
placed on the Calendar
Senate 19960313 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
House 19960312 Read third time, sent to Senate
House 19960307 Amended, read second time
House 19960226 Debate adjourned until
Thursday, 19960307
House 19960222 Debate adjourned until
Monday, 19960226
House 19960221 Debate adjourned until
Thursday, 19960222
House 19960221 Objection by Representative Elliott
House 19960214 Committee report: Favorable with 25 HJ
amendment
House 19950111 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
RECALLED
May 21, 1996
H. 3230
S. Printed 5/21/96--S.
Read the first time March 13, 1996.
TO AMEND ARTICLE 13, CHAPTER 13, TITLE 8, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, BY ADDING SECTION 8-13-1317 SO AS TO PROHIBIT AN ELECTION OFFICIAL FROM INVOLVEMENT OF ANY KIND IN THE CAMPAIGN OF ANY CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE, PROHIBIT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO A CANDIDATE, PROHIBIT THE PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT OF A CANDIDATE, AND PROHIBIT THE OFFICIAL FROM SERVING AS A POLL WATCHER OR POLL MANAGER IN AN ELECTION; AND TO AMEND SECTION 8-13-1300, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING CAMPAIGN PRACTICES, SO AS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR "ELECTION OFFICIAL".
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 13, Chapter 13, Title 8 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 8-13-1317. (A) No election official as defined in Section 8-13-1300 (10)(B) may:
(1) become involved in any way in the campaign of any candidate for any office. This would prohibit any activity in the campaign of federal offices, including candidates for President, Vice President, United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, and any office that could be protested or appealed in an election contest to the board of canvassers;
(2) make financial contributions or contribute personal service to any candidate or candidates for public office;
(3) make a public endorsement of any candidate for public office;
(4) serve as a poll watcher for a candidate for public office or for a political party in a primary or general election; or
(5) serve as a poll manager in any election.
(B) The provisions of subsection (A) apply from the beginning of an election cycle until the time that a candidate files a final campaign report."
SECTION 2. Section 8-13-1300(10) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(10)(A) `Election cycle' means the period of a term of office beginning on the day after the general election for the office, up to and including the following general election for the same office, including a primary, special primary, or special election; however, the contribution limits under Sections 8-13-1314 and 8-13-1316 apply only to elections occurring on or after January 1, 1992, and are for each primary, runoff, or special election in which a candidate has opposition and for each general election. If the candidate remains unopposed during an election cycle, one contribution limit shall apply. (B) `Election official' means a member or employee of a municipal, county, or state election commission, whether elected or appointed; a member or employee of a county voter registration board, whether elected or appointed."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.