Bill Text: SC H5478 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced

South Carolina House Joint Resolution 5478 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Absentee ballot

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-12 - Referred to Committee on Judiciary [H5478 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H5478-Introduced.html

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ALLOW ALL QUALIFIED ELECTORS TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT IN THE 2020 PRIMARY AND PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS; TO DIRECT THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY AND PROPER ACTIONS TO ALLOW QUALIFIED ELECTORS TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOTS ELECTRONICALLY ON THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION'S INTERNET WEBSITE WITHOUT THE APPLICANTS' SIGNATURES FOR PURPOSES OF CASTING ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN THE 2020 PRIMARY AND PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF LAW CONTAINED IN TITLE 7 OF THE 1976 CODE THAT REQUIRE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICANT'S OATH TO BE WITNESSED DO NOT APPLY TO THE 2020 PRIMARY AND PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS JOINT RESOLUTION EXPIRES ON JULY 1, 2020.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding another provision of law, all qualified electors are permitted to vote by absentee ballot in the 2020 primary and primary runoff elections. Notwithstanding the categories provided in Section 7-15-320 which allow for absentee voting under certain circumstances, no reason must be given during this time period if a qualified voter chooses to cast a vote by absentee ballot. The State Election Commission shall take all necessary and proper actions to allow qualified electors to request absentee ballots electronically on the State Election Commission's Internet website without the applicants' signatures for the 2020 primary and primary runoff elections. The provisions of law contained in Title 7 of the 1976 Code that require an absentee ballot applicant's oath to be witnessed do not apply to the 2020 primary and primary runoff elections.

SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor and expires on July 1, 2020.