Rep. Ralph Norman advocates for closed primaries in South Carolina, pushing House Bill 3310 to restrict voting to registered party members.
COLUMBIA, S.C. โ Rep. Ralph Norman, who is running for governor of South Carolina, has expressed support for closed primaries in the state, citing strong Republican support for the issue and concerns over alleged Democratic interference.
Norman held a news conference at the South Carolina Statehouse on Thursday advocating for House Bill 3310, which would allow only registered party members to vote in a party’s primary. He was joined by South Carolina Rep. Mike Burns, who sponsored the bill, and other Republican lawmakers.
The bill would impact state and federal elections. There will be a 60-day registration requirement ahead of the primaries. The state’s parties can open their primaries to independent voters if they choose.
Norman says the measure has around 80% of support from Republicans in the state.ย
“I’m going to ask the General Assembly to take it seriously,” Norman said. “And if they don’t, we’re going to take it to the people who will let their voices be heard loud and clear.”
The lawmakers stated, without any substantial proof, that Democrats purposely vote for “weaker” Republican candidates in primaries to set up better challenges in the general election.
Rep. Jordan Pace cited a Greenville Democrat’s social media call for voters to do this. However, Pace could not provide any numbers on how this impacted elections.
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Norman noted that some elections are decided by “20-30 votes,” and they don’t want to risk any cross-party interference.ย
“We can’t have those on the opposite party stopping people from being elected, and we’ve got to put a stop to that,” Norman said.
While supporting House Bill 3310, Norman and other lawmakers voiced opposition to House Bill 3643, a similar primary-related bill that would limit primaries to registered party members and unaffiliated independent voters. House Bill 3643 would implement a 45-day registration requirement ahead of primary elections. The bill would automatically register a voter with a party after they vote in a primary.
Burns referred to House Bill 3310 as “filet mignon” and House Bill 3643 as “peanut butter.”
Lawmakers are hoping the bill passes quickly and doesn’t get stuck in committees.ย
Norman is facing four other candidates for the Republican primary. Norman will face Rep. Nancy Mace, South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, and South Carolina Sen. Josh Kimbrell.
The primary election will be held on June 9.
South Carolina is one of 20 states with open primaries, allowing voters to participate in any election.ย
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