South Carolinians Fight New "Ballot Tax"

Candidates gathered to bring petitions to the state house in opposition of Act 137.

COLUMBIA – More than 800 South Carolinians have signed a petition calling on the state legislature to repeal or amend a new law that charges candidates a needless filing fee and shortens by 50 percent the time that they have to file as candidates.

From April 30-June 26, Ballots Without Barriers ran an online survey about H 3557 - which became Act 137 of 2026 once passed. Signatures reflect ongoing frustration with the new law that imposes significant financial barriers on candidates before they can begin campaigning.

Candidates and representatives from Ballots Without Barriers and Better Ballots SC gathered on Monday, June 6, outside of the state house to deliver the petitions sharing their disdain for the new law. Presenting the stacks of petitions: Kasie Whitener, candidate for U.S. Senate; Jessica Ethridge, candidate for U.S. House District 4; Joshua Parks, candidate for S.C. House District 75; and Melissa Couture, representative from Better Ballots SC and candidate for S.C .House District 15, and Kelsey Lyon, communications director for Ballots Without Barriers.

"These requirements put candidates behind the eight ball before their campaigns even begin," said Kelsey Lyon. "Campaign funds should be spent reaching voters and building a campaign, not paying what amounts to a ballot tax just to access the ballot."

The window shrank from March 16-30 to March 16-25, a shortened window for filing that makes it harder on candidates and will add undo pressure on county and state divisions that run South Carolina elections. Also under the new law, all candidates must pay a sliding filing fee based upon the pay for the position, even if they do not participate in primaries, and political parties may choose to charge up to $100 as a certification fee. While there are nine parties that are recognized in South Carolina, only the Republican and Democratic parties participate in primaries.

From the letter filed with the petitions:

“The undersigned believe that South Carolina’s election laws should promote competition, voter choice, and meaningful access to public office, rather than protect established political interests. We respectfully urge the governor and legislative leaders to recognize the depth of this opposition and work to repeal or substantially revise H. 3557.”