South Carolina Political Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act
Summary
The bill increases penalties for violence, property damage, and credible threats targeting public officials, election workers, or public-gathering participants while protecting lawful protest and speech. It also requires incident reporting, election-official notification, and anonymized annual summaries.
Full text
Judicial Review
No judicial review
No Supreme Court cases are currently attached to this law.
No cases filed.
Sponsor
Brett StephensRepublican Party
Cosponsors
- Elizabeth HuntRepublican Party
- Eddie JenkinsRepublican Party
Archived proceedingsSouth Carolina Chamber
Debate in progress
South Carolina Political Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act
Floor statements
6
Speakers
2
Chair bulletins
3
Floor statements
Archived floor record-(?-?)
Pinned
Chamber bulletin
This bill awaits the Governor's action. Deadline: 2026-10-21 13:25:11 (UTC).
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Voting is now open for 72 hours.
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Floor debate is open for 72 hours.
Opened:
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This bill has been enacted via no action (pocket pass) at the Governor review deadline.
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Result: passed.
Aye: 100 seats
Nay: 0 seats
Present: 0 seats
Total seats: 100
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I will always condemn political violence, threats, and intimidation. Election workers deserve protection, and no public servant should face violence for performing their duties. But protecting democracy also means protecting the right of ordinary people to challenge those in power. I cannot support enhanced criminal penalties without stronger guarantees against selective enforcement and political misuse. We must distinguish genuine threats of violence from the anger, dissent, and protest that are fundamental to a free society. I will not vote for legislation that leaves those distinctions vulnerable to interpretation. Protect our people, protect our elections, and protect our constitutional freedomsโbut do not give government another instrument that could be turned against the very people it is meant to serve.
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