2016 Candidate Filing Information
Who Must File
Any candidate seeking a political party's nomination for an office on the November 8, 2016, General Election ballot (except President) must file during the March Filing Period. Click here for information on filing for President.
When to File
The filing period opens at Noon on March 16 and closes at Noon on March 30.
WARNING: Filing closes at 12:00 p.m. sharp. There are no exceptions to this rule. The candidate must be present and ready to file before the clock strikes noon. The SEC encourages candidates to consider all contingencies and plan accordingly to ensure this deadline is met.
Filing Hours
State Election Commission
Wednesday, March 16: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday - Friday, March 17-18: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday, March 19-20: CLOSED
Monday - Friday, March 21-25: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 26: CLOSED
Sunday, March 27: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday, March 28-29: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
County Boards of Voter Registration & Elections
Contact your county board for specific hours.
NOTE: Some county election offices may be closed on Good Friday, March 25.
Where to File
| Office | Where to File |
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U.S. Senate U.S. House (All Districts) Solicitor (Circuits 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16) |
NOTICE: The SEC office is in a new location: State Election Commission 1122 Lady St., Suite 500 Columbia, SC 29201 |
|
State Senate (All Districts) State House (All Districts) Countywide Offices Less-than-countywide Offices |
County Board of Voter Registration & Elections State Senate & State House Candidates file in the candidate's county of residence. |
What to File
Statement of Intention of Candidacy/Party Pledge Form (SICPP)
- All candidates must file this form.
- Candidates should bring three copies of this completed form. If the candidate does not bring three copies of this form, election officials will make copies for the candidate.
- Enter "November 8, 2016" in the election date field on the form.
- In the party pledge section, put the date of your primary or convention. The Democratic and Republican parties will hold state primaries on June 14, 2016. If your party nominates by convention, check with your party for the convention date.
- This form must be either signed in the presence of an election official or be notarized. Please complete the form but wait to sign it at the time of filing (unless it will be notarized).
- WARNING: All information included on the SICPP form will be made public as soon as you file. Phone numbers and email addresses are requested in case election officials need to contact you regarding your filing. This contact information is not required. Do not include any phone numbers or email addresses you wish to keep private.
Filing Fee Check
- Candidates seeking the nomination of a party that nominates by primary (Democratic and Republican Parties) must pay a filing fee.
- Click here for a list of filing fees.
- All filing fee checks should be made payable to the state party (S.C. Democratic Party or S.C. Republican Party).
- You will be issued a Filing Fee Receipt. Candidates must sign the receipt.
- Candidates for parties that nominate by convention do not pay a filing fee.
Statements of Economic Interests (SEI) & Campaign Disclosures (CD)
- All candidates are required to file an SEI and CD with the State Ethics Commission.
- Contact the State Ethics Commission for more details on filing an SEI and CD.
- Candidates are not required to file the SEI and CD with state or county election officials. State and county election officials will not accept copies of your SEI and CD.
- Failure to file an SEI or CD with the State Ethics Commission may result in fines.
- Failure to file an SEI or CD with the State Ethics Commission will have no impact on your access to the ballot.
Sheriff & Coroner Affidavits
- See Sections 17-5-130 (coroner) and 23-11-110 (sheriff) for complete details.
- Candidates for sheriff and coroner must file an affidavit with their county party executive committee no later than the close of the filing period.
- Click here for the Sheriff Filing Affidavit.
- Click here for the Coroner Filing Affidavit.
- Affidavits must be notarized.
- You are not required to file the affidavit with your county board of voter registration and elections. Your county party executive committee is responsible for providing the county board of voter registration and elections with a copy of the affidavit no later than 10 days following the close of filing (April 9).
- Candidates for sheriff are required to submit their fingerprints to SLED for a criminal records check no later than 130 days prior to the General Election. The results of that check must be filed with your county party executive committee.
Filing by an Agent
- The candidate does not have to be physically present to file.
- An agent of the candidate can deliver the SICPP and the filing fee check (if necessary) on behalf of the candidate.
- If filing by an agent, the SICPP form must be notarized.
- If a filing fee is paid, the candidate must still sign the Filing Fee Receipt. The receipt can be faxed or emailed to the candidate, signed, and then faxed or emailed back to the election office. The agent may also take the receipt to the candidate, have it signed, and return it to the election office. In any case, the filing fee receipt must be signed by the close of filing.