SC bill requires registration by party for primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A House panel has advanced a bill requiring South Carolina voters to sign up as a Republican or Democrat to vote in party primaries.

Voters currently do not register by party and can vote in either but not both primaries.

But the bill approved Wednesday would force voters to pick one party. Those who remain independent could not vote until general elections.

Panel chairman Alan Clemmons says he’ll offer an amendment in the full Judiciary Committee allowing the parties to decide whether to allow independents to vote in primaries.

Supporters say only party faithful should determine their candidate.

Brett Bursey of the Progressive Network says the bill would deny many voters the opportunity to have a say in who represents them, since primaries often determine the winner in South Carolina.