Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Democratic
· State Senator
Margie Bright Matthews
Represents District 45 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
97%
on 70 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 95%
Cast a vote
83%
Yea or Nay on 572 of 692 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
18 of 37
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 16
Roll calls on record
692
126th General Assembly
Votes and bills updated Oct 5, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 126th General Assembly.
How Margie Bright Matthews votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Margie Bright Matthews sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Margie Bright Matthews is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
2 of 70 party-line votes.
S0832 · University Campus Events Zoning
In plain English Prohibits counties and municipalities from using zoning rules to prohibit, restrict, condition, or delay events held on state university campuses.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Passed 35–7 · most Democrats voted the other way
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 43a · 2026-04-23 · Failed 19–23 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
H3021 · Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
In plain English Requires legislative approval for regulations with estimated costs of one million dollars or more over five years, and makes related changes to regulatory review and judicial processes.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment No, 4 · 2026-04-21 · Passed 21–20
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 20 · 2026-03-18 · Passed 19–18
S0052 · Driving under the influence
In plain English Increases penalties for driving under the influence, requires victim impact panels, creates a second-degree felony DUI offense, and revises testing and license suspension procedures.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 45 · 2026-02-04 · Failed 22–23
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Luke RankinRepublican · District 33 · 102 shared contested votes
55%
Jeff ZellRepublican · District 36 · 106 shared contested votes
50%
Tom DavisRepublican · District 46 · 107 shared contested votes
44%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (120 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaYeaNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaAbsentAbsentAbsentNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Margie Bright Matthews was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced37
Out of committee23
Passed one chamber23
Passed both chambers18
Became law18
Never left committee14
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 16 bills that became law this session.
Deziree Hodge Birthday
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate Deziree Hodge Of Hardeeville On The Occasion Of Her Eightieth Birthday And To Wish Her A Joyous Birthday Celebration And Much Happiness In The Days Ahead.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-08-11
Mt. Nebo Church
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church Upon The Occasion Of The Church's One Hundred Forty-first Anniversary.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-21
Jannie L. Vinson Brabham
A Senate Resolution To Express Profound Sorrow Upon The Passing Of Jannie L. Vinson Brabham And To Extend The Deepest Sympathy To Her Family And Many Friends.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-21
Donate Life Month
A Senate Resolution To Recognize April 2026 As "donate Life Month" In South Carolina.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-16
Anderson Taylor Road Naming
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Portion Of South Carolina Highway 3 In Estill From Us 321 To Orangeburg Road In Hampton County "the Honorable Anderson Taylor Highway" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing The Designation.
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2026-04-16
Louise G. Hopkins Road Naming
Request That The Department Of Transportation Name The Section Of South Carolina Highway 321 In Estill From The Southern Town Limit Boundary To The Northern Town Limit Boundary In Hampton County "louise G. Hopkins Highway" And Erect Appropriate Markers Or Signs At This Location Containing…
Not out of committeeAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence · 2026-04-16
Colleton County Transportation Committee
Provide That Each Member Of The Colleton County Transportation Committee Shall Receive One Hundred Dollars For Each Meeting At Which He Is In Attendance And That The Chairman Shall Receive One Hundred Seventy-five Dollars, And To Provide That The Chairman Shall Not Approve Such Payments…
Passed one chamberReferred to Colleton Delegation · 2026-04-15
Hampton County Transportation Committee
Provide That Each Member Of The Hampton County Transportation Committee Shall Receive One Hundred Dollars For Each Meeting At Which He Is In Attendance And That The Chairman Shall Receive One Hundred Seventy-five Dollars, And To Provide That The Chairman Shall Not Approve Such Payments…
Passed one chamberReferred to Hampton Delegation · 2026-04-15
Jasper County Transportation Committee
Provide That Each Member Of The Jasper County Transportation Committee Shall Receive One Hundred Dollars For Each Meeting At Which He Is In Attendance And That The Chairman Shall Receive One Hundred Seventy-five Dollars, And To Provide That The Chairman Shall Not Approve Such Payments…
Passed one chamberReferred to Jasper Delegation · 2026-04-15
County Auditor Qualifications
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 12-39-25 So As To Provide Qualifications To Be Eligible To Hold The Office Of County Auditor.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-04-02
County Treasurer Qualifications
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 12-45-25 So As To Provide Qualifications To Be Eligible To Hold The Office Of County Treasurer.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-04-02
Jasper County CTC
Provide That Each Member Of The Jasper County Transportation Committee Shall Receive Compensation For Each Meeting The Members Attend, And To Provide That The Payments Shall Not Occur More Than Eighteen Times Each Fiscal Year.
Not out of committeeRecommitted to delegation from Jasper County · 2026-04-01
Hampton County CTC
Provide That Each Member Of The Hampton County Transportation Committee Shall Receive Compensation For Each Meeting The Members Attend, And To Provide That The Payments Shall Not Occur More Than Eighteen Times Each Fiscal Year.
Not out of committeeRecommitted to delegation from Hampton County · 2026-04-01
Colleton County CTC
Provide That Each Member Of The Colleton County Transportation Committee Shall Receive Compensation For Each Meeting The Members Attend, And To Provide That The Payments Shall Not Occur More Than Eighteen Times Each Fiscal Year.
Not out of committeeRecommitted to delegation from Colleton County · 2026-04-01
Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center
A Senate Resolution To Celebrate The Grand Opening Of The Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center At The University Of South Carolina Beaufort.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-03-17
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
H5126 · 2026-08-11
Budget (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3021 · 2026-06-25
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4248 · 2026-06-25
Food labeling (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H3924 · 2026-06-25
Hemp-derived ingestible (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0011 · 2026-06-25
Paid Family Leave Eligible State Employee (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3387 · 2026-06-25
Unlawful occupants of property (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0428 · 2026-06-25
Fraudulent Check Expungement (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H4069 · 2026-06-25
Patient-Friendly Billing (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0052 · 2026-06-25
Driving under the influence (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4300 · 2026-06-25
Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4635 · 2026-06-25
Physical Fitness Services (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-06-25
US produced iron and steel (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S1043 · 2026-06-25
Civil Air Patrol Leave Act (Senate: To Concur)
S0238 · 2026-06-25
Sine Die (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Rule 15b)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Continue The Bill)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 19)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H3021 · 2026-05-14
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Concur)
H4591 · 2026-05-14
Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0832 · 2026-05-14
University Campus Events Zoning (Senate: To Concur)
S0508 · 2026-05-14
Monuments (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H5018 · 2026-05-14
Agency Head Salary Commission, Governor and Lt. Governor (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-14
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-05-14
US produced iron and steel (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4763 · 2026-05-14
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3558 · 2026-05-13
Commissioners to Article V Convention (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Concur)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: To Lay On The Table)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4042 · 2026-05-13
Ivermectin (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5217 · 2026-05-13
Deer tags (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5120 · 2026-05-13
Fingerprinting, offenses by minors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-13
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
H4589 · 2026-05-13
Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4303 · 2026-05-13
Cigarettes for heating (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3570 · 2026-05-13
Disclosure of Economic Interests (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4706 · 2026-05-13
Racing facility (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-12
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0454 · 2026-05-12
Charter School Accountability (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0961 · 2026-05-12
Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-2)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-3)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Concur)
H4476 · 2026-05-12
SC-Bahamas Trade Commission (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4382 · 2026-05-12
Nonprescription Ephedrine Products (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0831 · 2026-05-12
SCDOT Modernization (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4000 · 2026-05-12
Alcohol licensing (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3569 · 2026-05-12
Domestic violence in rental properties (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5113 · 2026-05-12
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-07
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5208 · 2026-05-07
Sales Tax Exemption (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4679 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4163 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina High School Athletic Association (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5113 · 2026-05-07
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 692 total roll-call votes this session).
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