SC election officials: 2026 on track for most expensive election cycle ever # SC election officials: 2026 on track for most expensive election cycle ever South Carolina election officials say the state’s 2026 election cycle could become the most expensive in state history.
wistv.com · Stephen Biddix · September 4, 2026
SC election officials: 2026 on track for most expensive election cycle ever
# SC election officials: 2026 on track for most expensive election cycle ever
South Carolina election officials say the state’s 2026 election cycle could become the most expensive in state history.
By Stephen Biddix
Published: Sep. 4, 2026 at 6:56 PM EDT| Updated: moments ago
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina election officials say the state’s 2026 election cycle could become the most expensive in state history after an unusually long primary season that stretched nearly three months and required multiple rounds of voting.
The state’s primary season began with early voting in May and did not conclude until a special state Senate primary runoff in August, spanning 77 days.
South Carolina Election Commission Executive Director Conway Belangia said the prolonged election schedule placed additional demands on county election offices but credited local officials with successfully administering elections throughout the process.
“The counties really took it on the chin, but they did a masterful job,” Belangia said. “I think everything came together and had good elections across the board.”
According to the State Election Commission, the June primary and runoff cost approximately $3.5 million. The special primary and runoff are projected to cost a similar amount. The November general election is expected to add roughly another $2.8 million in expenses, totaling around $10 million.
Those costs could make the current election cycle the most expensive South Carolina has experienced, Belangia said.
“I believe this election cycle that we’re in right now will probably be the most expensive that the state of South Carolina has experienced ever,” he said.
Belangia said inflation has driven up many of the costs associated with administering elections. Expenses for ballot paper, printing services and voting equipment have increased, while higher fuel costs have raised the price of transporting election supplies to counties across the state.
“Everything sort of piles on,” Belangia said. “We’ve had significant increases over time, but like the public, we deal with these in small increments and we have to tighten our budget here, ask for help there.”
The Election Commission has funds available to help counties cover election-related expenses. However, Belangia said the agency expects to ask lawmakers to replenish those funds when the General Assembly returns in January after the unexpected costs associated with the extended election season.
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