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State Election Commission asks $21.1 million to retire DS300 lease and seeks funds for e-poll books, county support and curbside carts
Summary
Director Wooten told the subcommittee the Election Commission requests $21.1 million nonrecurring to retire the DS300 scanner lease, $1.5 million recurring for county boards, $18 million for e-poll books, and $2 million to supply curbside voting carts; she said South Carolina had about 219 days of voting in 2025.
Director of the State Election Commission (SEC) told the House Constitutional Subcommittee the agency is asking for a package of funds to finish equipment purchases, strengthen county support and improve in-person access.
The SEC’s top request is $21,100,000 in nonrecurring funds to pay off the remaining balance on DS300 ballot-scanner equipment purchased through a master lease with the state treasurer’s office; the agency said the payoff would settle the obligation to TD Bank and that the first-year payment was included in last year’s budget.
"This is for the DS 300 scanners... the 21,100,000 is what is left and would pay off the full balance," Director Wooten said.
Wooten also requested $1,500,000 in recurring funds to support county boards of voter registration and $18,000,000 nonrecurring to replace e-poll books (check-in equipment) across counties through a transparent RFP process.
The commission additionally proposed $2,000,000 to provide curbside voting carts where counties lack them (noting a per-unit cost of about $850). Wooten warned that failing to provide curbside access properly "could open the state up to a lawsuit." She said some counties already have curbside carts while others cannot afford them.
Wooten told lawmakers that in 2025 South Carolina saw voting on approximately 219 separate days across the state, including municipal days and early voting periods, which she presented as context for the requested support.
On the DS300 master-lease schedule, Wooten said the agency delayed the first year's payment by about six months to limit taxpayer impact and expects two more payments remaining on the schedule; she confirmed the office has carryforward funds that factor into planning.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about county cost-sharing and timing; the SEC said it will work with county directors and follow up as needed. No votes were taken.
