How many electoral votes?
South Carolina is listed with 9 electoral votes in this generated guide.
Electoral College
South Carolina Electoral College votes and elector rules
South Carolina has 9 electoral votes. See allocation method, elector pledge status, selection process, and verification links.
State Summary
What to know about South Carolina Electoral College rules
How are votes awarded?
South Carolina is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
Are electors pledged?
South Carolina is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
What should I verify?
Confirm vote allocation, elector pledge enforcement, vacancy replacement, certification, and meeting procedures with official state or federal materials before relying on a legal detail.
Rules
South Carolina elector pledge and vote allocation rules
Quick Facts
Electoral College rule snapshot
- Electoral votes
- 9
- Allocation method
- Winner-takes-all
- Elector pledge
- Yes
- Election code
- S.C. 7-9-90, 7-19-70, 7-19-80, 7-19-90, 7-19-100, 7-19-110, and 7-19-120
Allocation
Winner-takes-all
South Carolina is one of the 48 states that have a winner-takes-all rule for the Electoral College. In these States, whichever candidate receives a majority of the popular vote, or a plurality of the popular vote (less than 50 percent but more than any other candidate), takes all of the state’s Electoral votes.
Elector Pledge
Yes
South Carolina is one of the states have passed laws that require their electors to vote as pledged. These laws may either impose a fine on an elector who fails to vote according to the statewide or district popular vote, or may disqualify an elector who violates his or her pledge and provide a replacement elector.
Process
How South Carolina electors are selected and vote
These notes summarize the elector selection, vacancy, meeting, or voting details available in the structured state model.
How Does South Carolina Select Its Electors?
Any certified party nominating candidates for President and Vice President must nominate eight candidates for electors. Petition candidates for President and Vice President must also nominate eight candidates for electors. Each candidate for elector must declare which candidate for President and Vice President he will vote for if elected. At least sixty days prior to Election Day, the political parties and petition...
When Do The Electors Vote?
Electors must convene at 11:00 a.m., on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, in the Secretary of State's office. The electors then vote by ballot for President and Vice President. Those elected must vote for the candidate for whom they declared. Any person selected to fill a vacancy in the Electoral College must vote for the same candidate for whom the person he is replacing declared. Any elector...
Sources
Sources and verification links
Questions
Common questions
How many Electoral College votes does South Carolina have?
South Carolina is listed with 9 Electoral College votes.
How does South Carolina allocate electoral votes?
South Carolina is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
Are South Carolina electors pledged?
South Carolina is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
How are South Carolina presidential electors selected?
Any certified party nominating candidates for President and Vice President must nominate eight candidates for electors. Petition candidates for President and Vice President must also nominate eight candidates for electors. Each candidate for elector must declare which candidate for President and...
When do South Carolina electors vote?
Electors must convene at 11:00 a.m., on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, in the Secretary of State's office. The electors then vote by ballot for President and Vice President. Those elected must vote for the candidate for whom they declared. Any person selected to fill a...
Where can I verify South Carolina Electoral College rules?
Use official state or federal materials when available. This page links to selected sources including The Electoral College in South Carolina and How does the state select its electors.
Glossary
Key Electoral College terms for South Carolina
- South Carolina Electoral Votes
- South Carolina is listed with 9 electoral votes for the Electoral College in this generated guide.
- South Carolina Allocation Method
- South Carolina is listed as winner-take-all. Under that summary, the statewide popular-vote winner receives the state's Electoral College votes.
- South Carolina Elector Pledge
- South Carolina is listed as requiring presidential electors to vote as pledged. The rule details summarize available pledge, replacement, penalty, or enforcement context from the state model.
- Presidential Elector
- A person appointed through the state's presidential election process to cast Electoral College votes for president and vice president.