South Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly. It consists of 124 representatives elected to two-year terms at the same time as U.S. congressional elections.
Unlike many legislatures, seating on the floor is not divided by party, but is arranged by county delegation – a legacy of the original apportionment of the chamber. Until 1964, each of South Carolina's counties was a legislative district, with the number of representatives determined by the county's population. It meets from the second week of January into May.
History
In Colonial times, there was a Commons House of Assembly.Qualifications and terms
Representatives are considered part-time citizen legislators who serve two-year terms. Representatives are elected at-large by their district, and there are no term limits. Representatives must be 21 years of age before they are eligible to become a representative.Current members
Party composition over time
| Year | Democratic Party | Republican Party | Independent / Other | Majority |
| 1865 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 124 |
| 1868 | 14 | 110 | 0 | 96 |
| 1870 | 0 | 100 | 24 | 76 |
| 1872 | 22 | 102 | 0 | 80 |
| 1874 | 0 | 91 | 33 | 58 |
| 1876 | 64 | 60 | 0 | 4 |
| 1878 | 121 | 3 | 0 | 118 |
| 1880 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 116 |
| 1882 | 118 | 6 | 0 | 112 |
| 1884 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 114 |
| 1886 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 116 |
| 1888 | 121 | 3 | 0 | 118 |
| 1890 | 115 | 9 | 0 | 106 |
| 1892 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 116 |
| 1894 | 104 | 3 | 17 | 87 |
| 1896– 1900 | 123 | 1 | 0 | 122 |
| 1902– 1960 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| 1961 | 123 | 1 | 0 | 122 |
| 1962 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 124 |
| 1964 | 123 | 1 | 0 | 122 |
| 1966 | 107 | 17 | 0 | 90 |
| 1968 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 114 |
| 1970 | 113 | 11 | 0 | 102 |
| 1972 | 103 | 21 | 0 | 82 |
| 1974 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 92 |
| 1976 | 112 | 12 | 0 | 100 |
| 1978 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 92 |
| 1980 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 92 |
| 1982 | 105 | 19 | 0 | 86 |
| 1984 | 96 | 28 | 0 | 68 |
| 1986 | 92 | 32 | 0 | 60 |
| 1988 | 88 | 36 | 0 | 52 |
| 1990 | 80 | 44 | 0 | 36 |
| 1992 | 74 | 50 | 0 | 24 |
| 1994 | 54 | 70 | 0 | 16 |
| 1996 | 53 | 71 | 0 | 18 |
| 1998 | 57 | 67 | 0 | 10 |
| 2000 | 53 | 71 | 0 | 18 |
| 2002 | 51 | 73 | 0 | 22 |
| 2004 | 50 | 74 | 0 | 24 |
| 2006 | 51 | 73 | 0 | 22 |
| 2008 | 51 | 73 | 0 | 22 |
| 2010 | 48 | 76 | 0 | 28 |
| 2012 | 46 | 78 | 0 | 32 |
| 2014 | 46 | 78 | 0 | 32 |
| 2016 | 44 | 80 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 44 | 80 | 0 | 36 |
| 2020 | 43 | 81 | 0 | 38 |
| 2022 | 36 | 88 | 0 | 52 |
21 were members of the Union Reform Party of South Carolina and the other 3 were Independents from Anderson. Two of the Union Reform members from Chesterfield were later replaced by Republicans from a resolution passed in the House.
All 33 were members of the Conservative Party of South Carolina.
All 17 were Independent Democrats.