SOUTH CAROLINA | 8 Electoral Votes |
Population
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina State Election Commission)
South Carolina has: 46 counties. Largest counties: Greenville, Charleston, Richland, Spartanburg, Lexington. Government
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State
of South Carolina
State Election Commission Constitution
Party of SC
The
State (Columbia)
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2004
Overview
Bush won with a plurality of 276,275 votes (17.08 percentage points). Bush won 31 counties to 15 for Kerry. |
Past Results |
1996
1992
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2000
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2000
Overview
South Carolina, the scene of such great activity during the Republican presidential primary in February, saw a very quite campaign on the presidential level in the fall. None of the principals visited. Bush carried the Palmetto State with a comfortable plurality of 220,307 votes (15.94 percentage points). Bush won 31 counties to 15 for Gore. Heath Thompson ran Republicans' Victory 2000 effort; Remle Beard was Gore-Lieberman state director. One issue on the ballot that did generate considerable debate was Amendment 1 to lift a ban on lotteries; it passed. |
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Democrats
In its Feb. 12, 2002 meeting, the executive council of the South Carolina
Democratic Party decided to hold the primary on Feb. 3, 2004. The
primary was run by the state party, which had to man about 1,600 polling
places. Dick Harpootlian, then chair of the SCDP, estimated the cost
to run the primary at between $400,000 and $500,000.
Overview
CLARK
DEAN
EDWARDS
KERRY
KUCINICH
LIEBERMAN
SHARPTON
former:
GEPHARDT
MOSELEY
BRAUN GRAHAM
Qualifying: File with the SCDP between December 19, 2003 (9:00 a.m.) and January 2, 2004 (5:00 p.m.). Filing fee of $2,500 is required, or "submit a petition containing the names of no fewer than 3,000 registered voters in South Carolina who consider themselves Democrats."
Participation: "Open
to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats." Voters were
to have signed the following statement: "I do solemnly swear or affirm
that I am a registered voter of this precinct, I consider myself to be
a Democrat, and I have not participated in the 2004 Presidential nominating
process of any other political party." However, considerable controversy
sprang up about this oath and SCDP Chairman Joe Erwin ultimately rescinded
it less than two days before the vote. A voter must have been registered
for 30 days prior to the primary.
ballot
"South Carolina is a primary/convention state." The February 3 primary is the first determining step. County conventions occur March 6-20. Delegates (except the 9 automatic unpledged) are selected at the State Convention in Columbia on May 1. |
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55
Delegates (45 Pledged, 10 Unpledged)
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Republicans
In May 2003 the South Carolina Republican Party State Executive Committee
decided to endorse President Bush and not hold a primary (resolution).
Congressional district delegates elected
by congressional district caucuses held Jan.-Feb. 2004.
At-large delegates elected by the state convention March 27, 2004. |
46 Delegates:
18 CD, 28 AL
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Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.