Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Democratic
· State Senator
Russell Ott
Represents District 26 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
87%
on 70 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 95%
Cast a vote
98%
Yea or Nay on 671 of 688 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
35 of 57
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 16
Roll calls on record
688
126th General Assembly
Votes and bills updated Oct 11, 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 Russell Ott 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 Russell Ott 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. Russell Ott is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
9 of 70 party-line votes.
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report · 2026-06-25 · Passed 27–11 · 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 24 · 2026-04-22 · Passed 24–17 · most Democrats voted the other way
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 4a · 2026-03-18 · Passed 28–16 · most Democrats voted the other way
S0256 · Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs (C-PACE)
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2026-01-20 · Failed 17–27 · most Democrats voted the other way
H3497 · Liquor liability
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2025-04-15 · Passed 35–5 · most Democrats voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2025-03-26 · Passed 35–7 · most Democrats voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: To Recede For 15 Minutes · 2025-03-18 · Passed 26–18 · most Democrats voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 1a · 2025-03-06 · Failed 19–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: To Set For Special Order · 2025-02-27 · Passed 34–6 · 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 · 108 shared contested votes
64%
Jeff ZellRepublican · District 36 · 112 shared contested votes
63%
J.D. ChaplinRepublican · District 29 · 116 shared contested votes
57%
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 (17 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Russell Ott 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.
Introduced57
Out of committee35
Passed one chamber35
Passed both chambers35
Became law35
Never left committee22
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 16 bills that became law this session.
Utility terrain vehicle
In plain English Allows utility terrain vehicles to be registered and operated on state highways and streets, and permits farmers with certain licenses to operate them without restrictions.
Official synopsis: Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Article 5 To Chapter 2, Title 56 So As To Define The Term "utility Terrain Vehicle (utv)" And To Provide For The Registration And Operation Of Utv's On The Highways And Streets Of The State; By…
Became lawEffective date 11/18/26 · 2026-06-05
Chief Paul Shirer Retirement
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate Chief Paul "lin" Shirer Upon The Occasion Of His Retirement, To Commend Him For His Thirty-four Years Of Dedicated Service, And To Wish Him Much Happiness And Fulfillment In The Years Ahead.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-05-21
Ebony Young
A Senate Resolution To Honor And Recognize Ebony Young For Her Years Of Distinguished Service To The State Of South Carolina And For Her Integral Part In Developing And Implementing The Palms Project.
Became lawScrivener's error corrected · 2026-05-18
Calhoun Academy Champions
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate The Calhoun Academy Boys Baseball Team, Coaches, And School Officials On An Outstanding Season And To Honor Them For Winning The South Carolina Independent School Association Class Aaa Boys Baseball State Championship.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-05-14
Level Up Elevate SC Day
A Senate Resolution To Recognize May 28, 2026, As "level Up Elevate Sc Day" In South Carolina.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-05-13
Brantley Lombr
Recognize And Honor Brantley Lombr Of Sandhills Primary School In Swansea And To Congratulate Her Upon Being Chosen As An Extraordinary Educator By Curriculum Associates.
Became lawIntroduced, adopted, returned with concurrence · 2026-05-07
Marion Anderson
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Marion (morris) Anderson Of St. Matthews For His Many Years Of Service To The People Of Calhoun County, Most Particularly The Citizens Of St. Matthews, And To Extend Best Wishes For Much Success In All His Future Endeavors.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-30
Provider Appreciation Day
A Senate Resolution To Recognize May 8, 2026 As "provider Appreciation Day" In South Carolina.
Not out of committeeAdopted · 2026-04-30
James Denny
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate James Denny Upon The Occasion Of His Retirement, To Commend Him For His Forty Years Of Dedicated Service, And To Wish Him Much Happiness And Fulfillment In The Years Ahead.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-28
Youngs Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Youngs Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Upon The Occasion Of Its Family And Friends Day And Church Rededication Celebration And To Commend The Church For Its Many Years Of Dedicated Service To The Irmo Community And The People…
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-22
Phillips Family Reunion
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor The Members Of The Phillips Family Upon The Occasion Of Their Family Reunion.
Not out of committeeIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-07
Multicultural Business Alliance Day in South Carolina
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Celebrate Multicultural Entrepreneurship In South Carolina.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-03-31
Pineview Coach Pitch DYB World Series Championship
A Senate Resolution To Honor And Recognize The Pineview Diamond Youth Coach Pitch Baseball Team And Coaches On A Remarkable Season And To Congratulate Them On Representing South Carolina And Winning The 2025 Diamond Youth Baseball Division Ii 8u Coach Pitch World Series Championship.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-03-31
Pineview 6U rookie ball All-Star champs
A Senate Resolution To Salute The Pineview 6u Rookie Ball All-star Baseball Team And Coaches For An Outstanding Season And To Congratulate Them On Capturing The 2025 Diamond Youth World Series Championship Title.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-03-31
Suspend the Gas Tax
Suspend Chapter 28, Title 12 Of The S.c. Code, Relating To Motor Fuels Subject To User Fees And The Imposition Of Those Fees, For Thirty Days With An Automatic Extension For Another Thirty Days If The Average Price Of Gasoline Has Not Fallen By Fifteen…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-03-24
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. 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)
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 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)
H4189 · 2026-05-07
DHEC Restructuring (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5537 · 2026-05-07
Dillon National Guard Armory (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4337 · 2026-05-07
Subpoena Powers (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 688 total roll-call votes this session).
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