FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Veterans for All Voters South Carolina
veteransforallvoters.org | info@veteransforallvoters.org
Survey finds broad coalition support for the current system; calls to close primaries are concentrated within narrower factions
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new statewide survey of likely South Carolina Republican primary voters finds a clear majority (54%) support keeping South Carolina’s current open primary system, while 39% favor moving to closed primaries. The poll, conducted by Columbia-based Starboard Communications for Veterans for All Voters’ partner organization, Unite America, found strong support for the current system across nearly every segment of the GOP coalition. Voters who supported reform are divided on whether to move to a closed or semi-closed primary system.
The poll also shows that when the issue is framed as participation without forced party registration vs. requiring party registration, voters again prefer the current system (53% to 42%). And even among voters who want change, there is no unified end point: preferences split between fully closed primaries (59%) and semi-closed primaries (35%).
Key findings
• Majority support for the current system: 54% keep open primaries; 39% move to more restrictive primaries.
• Coalition-based support for openness: strongest among Fiscal/Economic Republicans (63%), young voters ages 18–34 (71%), women (60%), and Traditional Republicans (58%).
• Participation framing favors openness: 53% prefer participation without forced party registration vs. 42% favor requiring registration.
• No consensus among “change” voters: 59% prefer fully closed primaries; 35% prefer semi-closed primaries.
“As a retired Army colonel, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, not a political party,” said Col. Christopher P. Himsl, U.S. Army (Ret.) and South Carolina resident. “When you close primaries, you tell independent citizens their voice matters less. A healthier democracy opens doors, restores trust, and strengthens the legitimacy of our elections.”
“South Carolinians are sending a simple message: don’t make it harder for people to vote, and don’t force them to sign up with a party just to be heard,” said Eric Bronner, Navy veteran and Founder of Veterans for All Voters. “Primaries decide who holds power in this state. Keeping them open keeps that power where it belongs: with the people.”
About the Poll
The statewide survey was conducted February 3–5, 2026 among 400 registered South Carolina voters deemed likely to vote in the June 2026 Republican Primary, using telephone interviews (landline and cell). The margin of error is ±4.9%.
About Veterans for All Voters
Veterans for All Voters is a national, nonpartisan, veteran-led nonprofit mobilizing veterans to advocate for voter-first election reforms that unlock competition, reduce polarization, and strengthen accountable government. Veterans took an oath to defend our Republic abroad, and continue serving by strengthening it here at home.
We're excited to share that our organization has earned a 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency Now, you can support our work trust and confidence by viewing our #NonprofitProfile