South Carolina government and politics

SCCapitol0270

Governor_Henry_McMaster

Pamela_Evette_2019

JAG_Passing_Alan_Wilson

Hugh_Weathers

Brian_J._Gaines

Mark_Hammond_cropped

== South Carolina Government and Politics ==

The government and politics of South Carolina are defined by the state's constitution and are characterized by a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. South Carolina is a U.S. state located in the southeastern region of the United States.

Executive Branch

The executive branch of South Carolina is headed by the Governor, who is elected to a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The current governor is Henry McMaster. Other key officials in the executive branch include the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the State Treasurer.

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the South Carolina General Assembly, which is divided into two chambers: the South Carolina Senate and the South Carolina House of Representatives. The Senate has 46 members, each representing a single-member district, while the House of Representatives has 124 members, also representing single-member districts. Members of the Senate serve four-year terms, while members of the House serve two-year terms.

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch of South Carolina is headed by the South Carolina Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state. The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices, who are elected by the General Assembly to ten-year terms. Below the Supreme Court are the South Carolina Court of Appeals, the South Carolina Circuit Court, and various lower courts including family courts, probate courts, and magistrate courts.

Political Parties

The two major political parties in South Carolina are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The state has historically been a stronghold for the Republican Party, particularly in recent decades.

Elections

South Carolina holds elections for various state and federal offices, including the Governor, members of the South Carolina General Assembly, and U.S. Congress representatives. The state also participates in presidential elections, with its electoral votes going to the candidate who wins the popular vote in the state.

Related Pages

• Governor of South Carolina
• South Carolina General Assembly
• South Carolina Senate
• South Carolina House of Representatives
• South Carolina Supreme Court
• Republican Party (United States)
• Democratic Party (United States)