The South Carolina Policy Council 2026 Fall Poll

The South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC) is pleased to release our 2026 Fall Poll, examining South Carolinians’ views on the issues shaping the state’s policy and political landscape. With a new legislative session approaching and a major election on the horizon, the poll provides insight into voters’ priorities, policy preferences, and views on state leadership.

The poll was conducted from October 16-25, 2026, among 1,200 registered South Carolina voters, with a margin of error of +/-2.77%.

Voters’ top issues

When asked which issue mattered most to them, South Carolina voters identified the cost of living and inflation as their top concern, with 36% selecting it as their most important issue. Democracy and the functioning of government ranked second, with 14% identifying it as their top priority.

Approval ratings and gubernatorial and Senate races

Registered voters were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with the direction of South Carolina and the United States. 52% reported being satisfied with the direction of South Carolina, compared with 42% who were satisfied with the direction of the country.

Among likely voters, Republican Alan Wilson leads Democrat Jermaine Johnson 51% to 41% in the gubernatorial race. Green Party candidate Walid Hakim and United Citizens candidate Michael Addison each receive 1%, while 5% remain undecided.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent Senator Darline Graham leads Democrat Annie Andrews 47% to 46%. Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener receives 2%, Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett receives 1%, and 4% remain undecided.

Candidate polls are measured with likely voters. The sample size for likely voters is 895, with a margin of error of +/- 3.21%.

Tax & spending reform

South Carolinians were asked whether they support eliminating the state income tax. Nearly two-thirds (65%) supported eliminating the tax, while 20% opposed it.

Voters were also asked whether proposed legislative earmarks for local projects should be publicly disclosed before the General Assembly votes on the state budget. The proposed disclosure would identify the legislator requesting each earmark and describe how the funds would be used. A strong majority (78%) said disclosure should be required.

Voters were also asked whether state agencies should be required to regularly justify all their spending, including funding for existing programs, rather than focusing primarily on requests for new or increased spending. 69% supported this requirement, including 34% who strongly supported it. Just 15% opposed the policy.

Voters were also asked which statement most closely reflected their views on property tax relief:

42% said relief should apply broadly to similarly situated property owners rather than target specific age groups or categories.
27% said relief should be targeted to seniors or retirees.
8% said relief should be targeted to young families to encourage family formation.
15% said neither approach reflected their views.
9% were unsure.

Legal reform

In civil lawsuits involving multiple parties, voters were asked whether each party should be required to pay damages in proportion to its share of responsibility. 72% supported this approach, while just 12% opposed it.

South Carolinians expressed skepticism toward private equity firms and outside investors investing in law firms. 57% opposed allowing such investments, including 27% who strongly opposed them.

Free market reform

South Carolinians were divided over their satisfaction with education in the state. Among registered voters, 43% reported being satisfied with education, while an equal share (43%) reported being dissatisfied.

Voters were asked whether they support expanding South Carolina’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund program. More than three-quarters (76%) supported expanding the program, while 13% opposed expansion and 11% were unsure.

As data centers and other large corporations increase demand for new power plants and transmission infrastructure, South Carolinians were asked who should bear most of the additional costs. Their responses were as follows:

64% said the large customers creating the additional demand should bear the costs.
7% said the costs should be passed on to all utility customers through their rates.
15% said the costs should be shared between large new customers and existing customers.
14% were unsure.

For the full poll results, see the links below:

For questions about the poll or to arrange an interview, contact Neil Wolin, SCPC’s Director of Advocacy and Digital Communications, at [email protected] or 803-758-8470.

AAPOR disclosure statement:

Online poll of 1,200 registered voters in South Carolina using MMS text-to-web and additional panel interviews provided by PureSpectrum. Conducted by Targoz Market Research for the South Carolina Policy Council.
Only respondents who passed our data quality checks were included in the final results, and panel respondents were compensated for participating.
Sampling was stratified by demographics and geography.
Results were weighted by demographics, party, geography, and behavioral measures to properly reflect the profile of the state.
Estimated margin of error: RV +/- 2.77% and LV +/- 3.21%
Fieldwork: Oct. 16 through Oct. 25, 2026
Due to weighting and rounding, percentages may not always total exactly 100%.

This report may be republished in whole or in part, provided that proper credit is given to the author(s) and the South Carolina Policy Council.