No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in the State unless he is registered to vote in the geographical area represented by the office (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1).
A person convicted of a felony or an offense against the election laws is not qualified to file for or hold office, unless it has been fifteen years since the completion of the sentence for the crime or unless the person has been pardoned (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1).
Candidate's qualifications for all offices, are determined at the time of the election and not at the time of filing or nomination. However, candidates for Senate and House are must be a resident of the district at the time of filing.
Qualifications for municipal offices may vary by ordinance. Check with your municipal or county election commission for specific qualifications.
Some individuals may be restricted from running for public office by the federal Hatch Act. The Act applies to federal employees and others receiving federal funds and restricts their participation in campaigns for partisan offices. For detailed information regarding the Hatch Act, visit the website of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE/FEDERAL OFFICES:
Office |
Minimum Age |
State Resident |
US Citizen |
Registered Voter |
Term of Office |
Consecutive Terms |
Special Qualifications/Notes |
|
President and Vice President |
35 | Not Applicable | Natural Born Citizen | Not Applicable | 4 years | 2 | Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years | |
US Senate |
30 |
No time limit |
9 years |
Yes |
6 years |
Indefinite |
||
US House of Representatives |
25 |
No time limit |
7 years |
Yes |
2 years |
Indefinite |
||
Governor |
30 |
5 years |
5 years |
Yes |
4 years |
2 |
||
Lieutenant Governor |
30 |
5 years |
5 years |
Yes |
4 years |
2 |
||
Secretary of State |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
State Treasurer |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
Attorney General |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
Comptroller General |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
State Superintendent of Education |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
Commissioner of Agriculture |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
||
SC Senate |
25 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
Must be a legal resident of the district at the time of filing |
|
SC House of Representatives |
21 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
2 years |
Indefinite |
Must be a legal resident of the district at the time of filing |
|
Solicitors |
18 |
No time limit |
No time limit |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
Must be legal resident of circuit 30 days prior to the election. Must be licensed to practice law by the S.C. Bar at the time of his election and throughout his term. |
|
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY OFFICES:
Office |
Minimum Age |
Residency Requirement |
Registered Voter |
Term of Office |
Consecutive Terms |
Special Qualifications/Notes |
Council |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county and/or district at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 or 2 years |
Indefinite |
Term is 2 years in Anderson, Edgefield, Orangeburg, & York Counties. |
Treasurer |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
Treasurer is appointed in Greenwood & York Counties. |
Auditor |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
Auditor is appointed in Greenwood & York Counties. |
Clerk of Court |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
|
Coroner |
21 |
Must be a resident of the county for at least 1 year immediately preceding the date of the election. Must be a U.S. citizen |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
*See S.C. Code of Laws Section 17-5-130 for additional qualifications. |
Probate Judge |
21 |
Must be a resident of the county at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
S.C. Code of Laws Section 14-23-1040 includes an education/experience requirement for Probate Judge. (Act 678 of 1990) However, the U.S. Department of Justice objected to the requirement, and the act was never precleared and is therefore unenforceable. |
Sheriff |
21 |
Must be a resident of the county for at least 1 year immediately preceding the date of the election. Must be a U.S. citizen. |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
See S.C. Code of Laws Section 23-11-110 for additional qualifications. |
Register of Deeds |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |
|
School Board |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county and/or district at the time of the election |
Yes |
4, 3 or 2 years |
Indefinite |
Additional qualifications may exist for any particular school board or district. For specific lengths of terms and qualifications, contact the local school district or the S.C. School Board Association. |
Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner |
18 |
Must be a resident of the county and/or district at the time of the election |
Yes |
4 years |
Indefinite |