Coronavirus doesn't stop election filing in South Carolina

by The Associated Press
| March 21, 2020 10:19 AM

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Filing to run for office in South Carolina is continuing even as more of the state closes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The State Election Commission is urging candidates to file as soon as they can to avoid crowds as filing ends on March 30.

The first day of filing was on Tuesday. All 46 state Senate seats and 124 House seats are on this year's ballot along with hundreds of local offices.

Candidates are filing to run in the June 9 primary and if they win the nomination, November's general election.

Election officials say they are taking a number of steps to insure no one contracts COVID-19 while filing. They are asking candidates to make an appointment, not bring along anyone else and use their own pen to sign their paperwork in the office.

The governor has ordered county buildings with state offices like election boards to remain open.

The Election Commission also allows a candidate to file by agent if they don't want to appear personally. A candidate would need to have their forms notarized.