South Carolina 2020 General Election

The Green Papers: South Carolina 2020 General Election

This page is for offices up for election in 2020. Find 2021 elections here.

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South Carolina
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
✓ Primary: Tuesday 9 June 2020
✓ Runoff (no elections covered by this website have runoffs): Tuesday 23 June 2020
✓ General Election: Tuesday 3 November 2020

✓ Monday 30 March 2020 - Filing Deadline - Primary/Third/Minor .
✓ Tuesday 9 June 2020 - Primary . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 23 June 2020 - Runoff (no elections covered by this website have runoffs) . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Monday 20 July 2020 - Filing Deadline - Independent/President .
✓ Tuesday 3 November 2020 - General Election . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EST (1200-0000 UTC).

Senators:	2	(Electoral Classes 2 and 3)
Governor:	1
2010 Census:	4,645,975	(1.50% of 309,785,186)
2012, 2016, 2020 Electoral Votes:	9	(1.67% of 538)
2012-2020 Representatives:	7	(1.61% of 435)
Capital:	Columbia

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South Carolina State and Local Government

South Carolina 2020 Presidential Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions:
Democrats Republicans

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.

Voters who voted in a party's primary, can vote only in the runoff of the same party. Voters who did not vote in the primary, may vote in either party's runoff.

The primary is for Democratic and Republican candidates only. Candidates running unopposed for their Party's nomination will not appear on primary ballots.

A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election. The use of posters or stickers on the ballot is not permitted. The voting machine provides for a voter to write-in a candidate. Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president.

While the state permits fusion (a candidate may be nominated by multiple parties), if a candidate runs for and looses a primary (of any party), the candidate cannot appear on the November ballot. [Section 7-11-10]

circa 16 July 2020: Due to COVID-19, the Independent petition deadline has been changed from 15 to 20 July. [S.C. Code of Laws Section 7-13-351]

The Alliance (18 April), Constitution (18 April), Green, Independence, Labor, Libertarian (13 June), United Citizens, and Working Families Parties may nominate by convention.

Party Order On Ballots from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

2020 Election Calendar from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

Candidate Tracking from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

Primary returns from the South Carolina State Election Commission;
results from a media source.

Primary returns from a media source.

General Election Candidate Listing from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

3 November 2020 returns from the South Carolina State Election Commission.



President 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2020, 2024. Term Limit: No more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime. Electors: 9 (Winner-take-all), How Appointed, Meeting Place, Duly Appointed Presidential Electors, List of Presidential Candidates by State, List of Presidential Candidates.

	Candidate list (5)

		Republican	1,385,103	55.11%	President Donald John Trump • for Vice President: Vice President Michael R. "Mike" Pence (9 Electoral Votes) • FEC P80001571; 23 Nov 20; Tot $717,303,371; Dsb $718,174,436

		Democratic	1,091,541	43.43%	former Vice President Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. • for Vice President: California Senator Kamala D. Harris • FEC P80000722; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,064,613,463; Dsb $1,063,053,521

		Libertarian	27,916	1.11%	Jo Jorgensen • for Vice President: Jeremy "Spike" Cohen • FEC P00013524; 23 Nov 20; Tot $3,405,357; Dsb $3,373,521

		Green	6,907	0.27%	Howie Gresham Hawkins • for Vice President: Angela Nichole Walker • FEC P00012211; 23 Nov 20; Tot $495,566; Dsb $476,095

		Alliance Party	1,862	0.07%	Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente, Jr. • for Vice President: Darcy G. Richardson • FEC P60016342; 23 Nov 20; Tot $14,220,189; Dsb $14,208,041
Total			2,513,329	100.00%

U.S. Senate 6 year term. No Term Limit. 116^th Senate Senate Electoral Classes

Class 2		Republican	Senator Lindsey Olin Graham • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2008, 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in)

		Republican	1,369,137	54.44%	Senator Lindsey Olin Graham • FEC S0SC00149; 23 Nov 20; Tot $104,759,711; Dsb $97,803,502

		Democratic	1,110,828	44.17%	Jaime Harrison • FEC S0SC00289; 23 Nov 20; Tot $132,678,083; Dsb $131,836,927

		Constitution	32,845	1.31%	William David "Bill" Bledsoe • Withdrew, remains on the ballot. • FEC S6SC04155; 30 Sep 20; Tot $0; Dsb $0

		Scattering	2,294	0.09%	Write-In
Total			2,515,104	100.00%

Class 3		Republican	Senator Timothy E. "Tim" Scott • Served in U.S. House- first elected: 2010; re-elected: 2012. Appointed to the U.S. Senate: 2 January 2013 (re: resignation of Senator James W. "Jim" DeMint [Republican]); first elected in a special election: 4 November 2014; re-elected: 2016. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms, All Governors

		Republican	Governor Henry D. McMaster • 24 January 2017: Ascended to the Governor's Chair following the resignation of Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican) who became United Nations Ambassador; first elected: 2018. • Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
	Candidate list (2)

		Republican			Peggy Kandies
		*Republican*			*Governor Henry D. McMaster*

Lieutenant Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022. (Beginning in 2018, the Lieutenant Governor will be elected on same ticket with the Governor.)

		Republican	Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette • First elected: 2018 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

116^th U.S. House of Representatives 2-year term. Election Cycle 2020, 2021. No Term Limit. 116^th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition): 2 Democratic (2 Renominated); 5 Republican (5 Renominated)

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 1		Democratic	Member of Congress Joseph Kendrick "Joe" Cunningham • First elected: 2018 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	216,042	50.58%	state Representative Nancy R. Mace • FEC H0SC01394; 31 Dec 20; Tot $5,865,893; Dsb $5,787,219

		Democratic	210,627	49.31%	Member of Congress Joseph Kendrick "Joe" Cunningham • FEC H8SC01116; 23 Nov 20; Tot $7,076,228; Dsb $7,107,587

		Scattering	442	0.10%	Write-In
Total			427,111	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 2		Republican	Member of Congress Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson, Sr. • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First Elected 18 December 2001 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Floyd Spence. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	202,715	55.66%	Member of Congress Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson, Sr. • FEC H2SC02059; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,680,189; Dsb $1,687,249

		Democratic	155,118	42.59%	Adair Ford Boroughs • FEC H0SC02061; 23 Nov 20; Tot $2,537,930; Dsb $2,509,048

		Constitution	6,163	1.69%	Kathleen K. Wright • FEC H0SC02103

		Scattering	219	0.06%	Write-In
Total			364,215	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 3		Republican	Member of Congress Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected: 2010 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	237,544	71.21%	Member of Congress Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan • FEC H0SC03077; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,519,297; Dsb $1,245,434

		Democratic	95,712	28.69%	Hosea N. Cleveland • FEC H4SC03111; 22 Oct 20; Tot $38,735; Dsb $37,189

		Scattering	308	0.09%	Write-In
Total			333,564	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 4		Republican	Member of Congress William Richardson Timmons, IV • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected: 2018 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	222,126	61.61%	Member of Congress William Richardson Timmons, IV • FEC H8SC04250; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,359,335; Dsb $1,351,959

		Democratic	133,023	36.89%	Kimberly "Kim" Nelson • FEC H0SC04281; 23 Nov 20; Tot $168,860; Dsb $166,739

		Constitution	5,090	1.41%	Michael G. Chandler • FEC H2SC04121

		Scattering	311	0.09%	Write-In
Total			360,550	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 5		Republican	Member of Congress Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected in a Special Election: 20 June 2017 [re: resignation of Member of Congress John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (Republican) to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration] • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	220,006	60.07%	Member of Congress Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • FEC H8SC05158; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,041,019; Dsb $866,599

		Democratic	145,979	39.86%	Mauricus "Moe" Brown • FEC H0SC05056; 31 Dec 20; Tot $487,659; Dsb $484,305

		Scattering	273	0.07%	Write-In
Total			366,258	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 6		Democratic	Member of Congress James Enos "Jim" Clyburn • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected: 1992 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Democratic	197,477	68.18%	Member of Congress James Enos "Jim" Clyburn • FEC H2SC02042; 23 Nov 20; Tot $3,439,180; Dsb $2,272,003

		Republican	89,258	30.82%	John David McCollum • FEC H0SC06237

		Constitution	2,646	0.91%	Mark Hackett • FEC H0SC06245

		Scattering	272	0.09%	Write-In
Total			289,653	100.00%

Incumbent - 116th Congress
CD 7		Republican	Member of Congress Hugh Thompson "Tom" Rice, Jr. • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • First elected: 2012 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Renominated
	Candidate list (2, 1 write-in) - 117th Congress

		Republican	224,993	61.80%	Member of Congress Hugh Thompson "Tom" Rice, Jr. • FEC H2SC07066; 23 Nov 20; Tot $1,415,216; Dsb $1,198,506

		Democratic	138,863	38.14%	Melissa Ward Watson • FEC H0SC07029; 23 Nov 20; Tot $150,297; Dsb $148,918

		Scattering	235	0.06%	Write-In
Total			364,091	100.00%

Secretary of State 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Secretary of State John Mark "Mark" Hammond • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Attorney General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Attorney General Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014, 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Treasurer 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Treasurer Curtis M. "Curt" Loftis, Jr. • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014, 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Comptroller General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Comptroller General Richard A. Eckstrom • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Commissioner of Agriculture 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Agriculture Commissioner Hugh E. Weathers • Named Interim Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of South Carolina on 14 September 2004 by Governor Mark Sanford upon the suspension of Republican Agriculture Commissioner Charles "Charlie" Sharpe; first elected: 2006; re-elected: 2010, 2014, 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Superintendent of Education 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2018, 2022

		Republican	Education Superintendent Molly Mitchell Spearman • First elected: 2014; re-elected: 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties Those parties which received electoral votes through winning a plurality of a state's [or the District of Columbia's] popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Democratic (affiliates): 2 incumbents, 9 candidates
	• Republican: 15 incumbents, 11 candidates
Major Third Parties Any Party, other than a Major Party, receiving a minimum of 15/100ths of 1 percent of the nationwide popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Constitution (affiliates): 4 candidates
	• Green (affiliates): 1 candidate
	• Libertarian: 1 candidate
Other Third Parties
	• Alliance Party (affiliates): 1 candidate
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• Scattering: 8 candidates
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Primary dates marked "presumably" and polling times marked "reportedly" are based on unofficial or estimated data (especially as regards local variations from a jurisdictionwide statutory and/or regulatory standard) and are, thereby, subject to change.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.