Download the .pdf version here.
In 2008, the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) released research showing that the S.C. General Assembly passed bills with a recorded vote only 5 percent of the time.[1] In January 2009, both bodies adopted rules changes:
In the House, the rules change requires a roll call vote on:
- Each section of the state budget if one member requests (now voted on as a whole)
- Second reading of contested bills (where debate and amendments occur)
- Third reading of amended bills (the final step prior to a bill becoming law)
- Conference committee reports (compromise when House, Senate versions of a bill differ)
The Senate rules do not require a recorded vote on each section of the budget, but do require a recorded vote on:
- The state budget as a whole
- Second reading of contested bills (one Senator can make a bill contested)
- Second reading of bills authorizing expenditure of funds or with fiscal impact of $10,000
- Third reading of amended bills
- Conference committee reports
Since those rules changes, the SCPC has tracked votes on all bills and joint resolutions that carry the force of law. Even with these rule changes, only 25 percent of votes were recorded in 2009. Although the House and Senate adopted requirements for more on-the-record voting, every 3 out of 4 votes are still taken off the record.
Constitutions in 37 states require lawmakers to hold a recorded vote on final passage of every bill they pass into law.
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3 states that do not have any constitutional requirements have joint House and Senate rules which mandate recorded votes on final passage
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6 states have either House or Senate rules which mandate recorded votes
Therefore, a total of 45 states have either a constitutional or procedural requirement that votes be recorded before a bill may become law.
Currently, the S.C. Constitution only mandates roll call voting on:
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Elections by the General Assembly
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Taking up the Governor’s vetoes
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Contested Supreme Court elections
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Removal of officers
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Amendments to the state Constitution
A House bill, initially introduced on January 13, 2009, passed unanimously in the House on March 25, 2010. The bill statutorily mandates that both the House and Senate record their votes on:
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Second reading of a bill or joint resolution
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Final passage of an amended bill or joint resolution
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Adoption of Conference or Free Conference reports
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Agreement to the other chamber’s amendments to a bill or joint resolution
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Each section of the annual budget
The current rules in both the House and Senate still exempt legislation on the uncontested calendar from receiving a mandatory roll call vote, which makes it possible for lawmakers themselves to determine if those bills receive a recorded vote.
Examples of legislation the General Assembly has passed this session without a recorded vote include:
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Cigarette Tax (Senate)
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I-95 Corridor Authority Act (Senate)
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2nd reading
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3rd reading
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I-85 Corridor Authority Act (Senate)
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2nd reading
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3rd reading
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Creating the Department of Workforce (Senate)
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2nd reading
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3rd reading
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Air Incentives Development Fund (Senate and House)
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2nd and 3rd reading in the House
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2nd reading in the Senate
Nothing in the foregoing should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder passage of any legislation.
Copyright © 2010 South Carolina Policy Council.
[1] The 2008 roll call voting percentages were determined by looking at every bill or joint resolution that passed the House only, Senate only, and both chambers.
Roll Call Voting in South Carolina Fact Sheet
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Posted: May 5, 2010 by South Carolina Policy Council
Download the .pdf version here.
In 2008, the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) released research showing that the S.C. General Assembly passed bills with a recorded vote only 5 percent of the time.[1] In January 2009, both bodies adopted rules changes:
In the House, the rules change requires a roll call vote on:
The Senate rules do not require a recorded vote on each section of the budget, but do require a recorded vote on:
Since those rules changes, the SCPC has tracked votes on all bills and joint resolutions that carry the force of law. Even with these rule changes, only 25 percent of votes were recorded in 2009. Although the House and Senate adopted requirements for more on-the-record voting, every 3 out of 4 votes are still taken off the record.
Constitutions in 37 states require lawmakers to hold a recorded vote on final passage of every bill they pass into law.
Therefore, a total of 45 states have either a constitutional or procedural requirement that votes be recorded before a bill may become law.
Currently, the S.C. Constitution only mandates roll call voting on:
A House bill, initially introduced on January 13, 2009, passed unanimously in the House on March 25, 2010. The bill statutorily mandates that both the House and Senate record their votes on:
The current rules in both the House and Senate still exempt legislation on the uncontested calendar from receiving a mandatory roll call vote, which makes it possible for lawmakers themselves to determine if those bills receive a recorded vote.
Examples of legislation the General Assembly has passed this session without a recorded vote include:
Nothing in the foregoing should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder passage of any legislation.
Copyright © 2010 South Carolina Policy Council.
[1] The 2008 roll call voting percentages were determined by looking at every bill or joint resolution that passed the House only, Senate only, and both chambers.
Category: Self Governance, Transparency Tags: Legislative Reform, Roll Call Voting