South Carolina Recount Laws

Less than or equal to 1% South Carolina mandates a “recount” (as noted above, this is an electronic review) for both primary and general elections if the vote margin between the apparent winning candidate and any other candidate is not more than 1% of the total votes cast for the respective office, or if the difference between votes cast for and against a constitutional amendment is not more than 1% of the total votes cast for the amendment. See Section 7-17-280, “Mandatory recounts”: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/CODE/t07c017.htm. Timing: According to state law, the review must be completed “forthwith.” See Section 7-17-280. However, the Municipal Election Commission Handbook states that, for municipal elections, the recount may not begin on election night, but must take place after the certification meeting of the election commission. See “Recounts and runoffs,” on page 16: http://www.masc.sc/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Administration/Ele....