What Does it Mean That the South Carolina Republicans Have a Supermajority?

The South Carolina Republican Party has a trifecta. They control the state Senate, the Governor's Mansion, and the House of Representatives. They also occupy every statewide elected position there is. Their power is far and wide but their messaging is still posed as if they are victims fighting for the state.

I have to give them credit for their effective messaging. They have done an absolutely phenomenal job at convincing their followers that the cause of all of their struggles in this state have been created solely by Democrats. Their followers are so convinced that even when you present them with evidence about the state's problems being directly related to Republican leadership, it still falls on deaf ears.

I recently got into a back-and-forth Twitter spat with State Representative Matt Leber. He made a wild claim that VP Harris and Governor Walz will essentially make up the most left-leaning ticket in history and if they win, it will make his job fighting Democrats in the South Carolina general assembly that much more difficult. I honestly laughed when I read what he wrote because it was nothing more than the same talking points the SC GOP continues to use to keep South Carolinians in a trance about who is responsible for the state's mishaps. The South Carolina House of Representatives is run completely by the Republican party as they occupy a super majority. This means that the Republicans can pass anything they see fit on any given day under the state's constitution without needing a single Democrat vote. So with that being said, let's take a deeper dive into what a super majority actually is.

A supermajority in state government refers to a situation where one political party holds an overwhelming number of seats in a legislative body, often exceeding two-thirds or three-fourths of the total seats. This configuration gives the dominant party extraordinary control, allowing it to bypass traditional checks and balances. A supermajority is particularly powerful because it can achieve legislative goals without the need for compromise or collaboration with the minority party. This influence extends across various facets of governance, including policy-making, constitutional amendments, budgeting, and judicial appointments.

In most U.S. states, the legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of a House of Representatives (or Assembly) and a Senate. A supermajority occurs when a single party holds a proportion of seats large enough to achieve specific legislative actions that require more than a simple majority vote.

Common supermajority thresholds include two-thirds (66.7%) or three-fifths (60%) of the seats in one or both legislative chambers. Some states may have higher or lower thresholds for specific actions like overriding a governor’s veto, passing budgetary measures, or amending state constitutions.

The mechanics of a supermajority vary by state. In states like California, for example, passing a budget once required a two-thirds majority in both chambers. While the requirement for general budgets has since been lowered, many fiscal matters still require a supermajority. Other states may use supermajorities for tax increases or to enact legislation overriding specific constitutional protections. For the party holding such a majority, the power is immense and often unchecked.

The legislative dominance provided by a supermajority allows the ruling party to push through their policy agendas with little or no opposition. When a single party controls the legislative agenda, they can pass laws on issues ranging from healthcare, education, criminal justice, and economic development to social issues without needing to negotiate with the minority party. This could lead to swift and radical shifts in state policies that may not reflect the majority opinions of the electorate, especially when there is ideological alignment within the party (I.E abortion and PragerU). When a supermajority is in place, policies favored by the ruling party may advance without serious debate or the consideration of alternative viewpoints, which can alienate large portions of the electorate.

When a single party holds unchecked power, there is less incentive to listen to the minority party or engage in bipartisan collaboration. This can result in the marginalization of diverse viewpoints and create political polarization. Y’all remember the Diversity Equity and Inclusion debate?

Furthermore, the lack of internal debate within the ruling party can lead to the passage of poorly thought-out laws that haven’t undergone rigorous scrutiny. Without the checks and balances provided by a more balanced legislature, policies that are rushed through can have unintended consequences or lead to long-term issues just like recently passed and enacted constitutional carry law. Finally, supermajorities may reduce public trust in government institutions. Voters who feel that their voices aren’t represented in the decision-making process may become disengaged or apathetic. In extreme cases, this can lead to lower voter turnout, increased polarization, and a sense of disenfranchisement among large portions of the population. And we wonder why only 10% of Republicans are voting and only 5% of Democrats.

So, the next time someone tries to tell you it's the Democrats’ fault, just simply ask them this: Did you know the South Carolina Republican Party has a supermajority and can change any law they want at any time without the need of a Democrat?

Bless their hearts.