Preliminary primary turnout figures illustrate active participation, with the SC GOP aiming to implement partisan registration by 2028 if the court case succeeds and accompanying rules are established.

South Carolina’s Republican Party has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to close its primaries to Republican voters, arguing it has the right to limit participation and control the nomination process.

The core argument is that open primaries allow voters from other parties or unaffiliated voters to influence party nominees, undermining the party’s ability to define its own slate.

The suit asserts constitutional grounds, including freedom of association, and contends state law does not facilitate partisan registration despite some party rules governing participation.

The development is ongoing, with updates expected as the case proceeds.

The Greenville News sought comment from the state election commission but had not received a response at reporting time.

Coverage notes related local reporting on runoff rules and encourages readers to consult the full legal filing for details.

McKissick’s video statement portrays him signing the suit in blue ink and frames the action as a response to lawmakers’ failure to pass partisan voter-registration legislation.

SCGOP has released a primary FAQ and the full lawsuit is available on Scribd for readers seeking more detail.

The complaint cites the Supreme Court’s California Democratic Party v. Jones decision from 2000 as precedent supporting its position.

Specifics such as the exact rule challenged, the filing court, and the plaintiffs’ identities were not disclosed in the available excerpt.

The suit follows a year of GOP efforts to close primaries after lawmakers did not act on partisan-registration legislation.