South Carolina has had seven constitutions, dating from 1776, 1778, 1790, 1861, 1865, 1868, and 1895, respectively. Beginning in 1970, most articles of the 1895 constitution were rewritten. The present document had been amended 484 times as of January 2003.
The general assembly consists of a senate of 46 members, elected for four-year terms, and a house of representatives of 124 members, elected for two-year terms. Senators must be 25 years old, representatives 21; all legislators must be qualified voters in the districts they represent. The legislative salary was $10,400 in 2002, unchanged from 1999.
Officials elected statewide are the governor and lieutenant governor (elected separately), attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller general, treasurer, adjutant general, secretary of agriculture, and superintendent of education, all elected to four-year terms in odd-numbered years following presidential elections. The governor is limited to serving two consecutive terms. Eligibility requirements for the governor include a minimum age of 30, US citizenship for at least five years, and a five-year state residency as well as a qualified voter. In 2002 the governor's salary was $106,078, unchanged from 1999.
Legislative sessions are held annually, beginning in January and ending no later than June. Bills may be introduced in either house, except for revenue measures, which are reserved to the house of representatives. The governor has a regular veto and an item veto on appropriation matters, either of which may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of those present in each house of the legislature. Bills automatically become law after five days if the governor takes no action. The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of each house of the general assembly and by a majority of those casting ballots at the next general election. To take effect, however, the amendment must then be ratified by a majority vote of the next general assembly.
US citizens 18 years old and older who are residents of the state are eligible to vote. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incompetent by the court.