With the start of 2026, the second half of the legislative session is underway. Both new and existing proposals are moving through the South Carolina Statehouse. To provide lawmakers, members of the media, and the public with the most up-to-date insight into where likely South Carolina voters stand on key issues, such as taxes, judicial reform, and energy policy, the South Carolina Policy Council is releasing its latest policy poll.
The poll was conducted from January 24 to February 1 among 1,200 registered voters.
Taxes & Spending
This year, tax reform dominated the conversation at the Statehouse. Income tax reform, in particular, took center stage, with lawmakers debating whether to reduce or eliminate the tax altogether. But what do South Carolina voters think?
72% of voters supported reducing or eliminating the state income tax.
Another major policy priority for the South Carolina Policy Council has been reducing the growth of government spending. Voters were asked whether they would support limiting spending growth to population growth plus inflation. 65% said they supported this approach.
Voters were also asked whether spending reform should go hand in hand with income tax cuts. 66% agreed that the two should be paired.
Finally, South Carolinians were asked whether the state should adopt zero-based budgeting, requiring agencies to regularly justify all spending from scratch rather than building on the previous year’s budget. 63% said South Carolina should use this model.
Judicial & legal reform
Additionally, lawmakers appear poised to take up judicial and legal reform this year.
Judicial reform is popular among South Carolinians.
- 58% support changing South Carolina’s system for selecting judges
- 23% are unsure, and only
- 18% support the current system
On medical malpractice:
- 21% prioritized protecting patients’ rights
- 21% prioritized reducing costs and provider shortages
- 52% said both were equally important
- 5% were unsure
Voters were asked whether physician assistants and nurse practitioners should be allowed to practice independently. 62% supported the change, 31% opposed it, and 7% were unsure.
Energy/Data centers
When asked how they thought South Carolina should handle data center regulation:
- 40% selected data centers should be required to generate their own power and not rely on energy facilities funded by utility ratepayers
- 39% selected data centers should be required to pay the costs of upgrading facilities to increase energy generation capacity
- 8% selected data centers should be allowed to use ratepayer-funded energy generation, like other large customers
- 12% selected I’m not sure
Voters were asked whether large data centers should be required to enter into long-term power purchase agreements to help cover the cost of new power generation and grid upgrades needed to serve them.
- 76% expressed support for the requirement
- 11% opposed it
- 12% were unsure
Transportation
Transportation has been a major topic of discussion in South Carolina as the state balances growing infrastructure needs
Voters were asked whether the state should continue increasing Department of Transportation (DOT) funding without first implementing structural reforms to track spending. 58% said no, 32% said yes, and 10% were unsure.
Respondents were also asked whether secondary roads should be transferred to county and municipal control to allow local communities to manage repairs and infrastructure needs. 65% supported local control, 18% opposed it, and 18% were unsure.
These results shows strong voter interest in both accountability and local decision-making for transportation. South Carolinians want reforms that ensure transportation dollars are spent effectively and support giving communities more control over the roads that affect them directly.
Gubernatorial primaries
Among Republican-identifying voters, respondents were asked: If the 2026 Republican primary for governor were held today, which of the following candidates would you choose? Responses were as follows:
- 18% selected Nancy Mace, U.S. Congresswoman
- 12% selected Alan Wilson, Attorney General
- 12% selected Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor
- 11% selected Ralph Norman, U.S. Congressman
- 4% selected Josh Kimbrell, State Senator
- 43% remain undecided
Among Democratic-identifying voters, respondents were asked: If the 2026 Democratic primary for governor were held today, which of the following candidates would you vote for? Responses were as follows:
- 25% selected Jermaine Johnson, State Representative
- 8% selected Mullins McLeod, State Representative
- 67% remain undecided
Takeaways
South Carolinians strongly favor local autonomy, particularly as it relates to road maintenance, want to see their taxes cut, support fiscal responsibility, and back judicial reform. Ratepayers do not want their utility bills to increase in any way as a result of data centers. Additionally, the gubernatorial race remains wide open, with a plurality of voters still undecided.
For the full crosstabs & transparency disclosure, see the links below:
SCPC_2026_Winter_Poll_Marginals.pdf
SCPC_2026_Winter_Poll_Crosstabs_Party_And_Regions.pdf
SCPC_2026_Winter_Poll_Crosstabs_Demographics.pdf
Transparency_Initiative_Disclosure_South_Carolina_Policy_Council.pdf
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If you have questions about the poll or would like to arrange an interview, please email
