South Carolina (rank #23 of 50 by population)

Data snapshot: 2026-03-27 · Population ~5.4M

1. Key organs of government

States typically divide power into executive (governor and agencies), legislative (bicameral legislature except Nebraska), and judicial (courts of last resort and lower courts). Below: statewide elected executive, each legislative chamber, and the apex court.

Executive branch: Governor; Lieutenant Governor; other statewide offices — verify
South Carolina Senate — President / President pro tempore — verify · 46 seats · Republican majority (~73.9% of seats)
South Carolina House of Representatives — Speaker — verify · 124 seats · Republican majority (~71.0% of seats)
South Carolina Supreme Court — Chief Justice · 5 seats · Varies — verify

2. Elected seats & majority strength

Organ / body	Total seats	Presiding / chief role	Majority party	Approx. majority seats	% of chamber
South Carolina Senate	46	President / President pro tempore — verify	Republican	34	73.9%
South Carolina House of Representatives	124	Speaker — verify	Republican	88	71.0%
South Carolina Supreme Court	5	Chief Justice	— (court)	—	—

Note: Majority figures are approximate snapshots; special elections can change counts. Verify on the state legislature website. Current Speaker / Senate president (or equivalent) names appear on each legislature’s leadership page, not in this static file.

3. Leader of the executive (Governor)

Office	Governor
Current officeholder	Henry McMaster (Republican)
Last general election	2022-11-08
Next general election	2026-11-03

4. Legislative elections (both chambers)

Last general	2024-11-05
Next general	2026-11-03
Note	Legislative elections in November of even years (confirm primaries with SoS).

Which seats are on the ballot next?

South Carolina House of Representatives. All 124 seats have 2-year terms. Every seat is on the ballot in November 2026 (and in every general election in even years).
South Carolina Senate. Upper chamber: staggered 4-year terms (46 seats). About half are on the ballot each even year. In November 2026, approximately 23 of 46 seats — verify with the Secretary of State.

5. Critical dates (typical patterns)

Confirm filing deadlines, primaries, and session calendars on the Secretary of State and legislature sites.