South Carolina has 36 independent candidates for the legislature on the ballot this year, far more than it has ever had before. This is because of the peculiar circumstances earlier this year that kept over 100 legislative candidates from running in the major party primaries. The excluded candidates were permitted to become independent candidates after they failed to qualify for the primary ballot. Therefore, the vast majority, if not all, of the independents self-identify as Republicans or Democrats.
At no time in the past twenty years, prior to 2012, have there been more than three independent legislative candidates on the South Carolina ballot.
“Therefore, the vast majority, if not all, of the independents self-identify as Republicans or Democrats.”
Then I wouldn’t even consider them to be Independents. I don’t know why you are all excited about the number of “independent” candidates, when you admit that they aren’t really independent.
South Carolina has a straight-ticket device, which injures independent candidates. It is likely at least one, and perhaps more, independent candidates will be elected. I would expect one of them to try to persuade the legislature to repeal the straight-ticket device. I would also hope one of them would introduce a bill to lower the independent candidate petition. For the legislature, it is 5% of the number of registered voters.
I agree with Richard that the petition candidates getting into the State House might be inclined to help with repealing straight ticket and lowering the petition requirements.
There are a couple of other interesting factors.
Some of the petition candidates are facing an incumbent that they would have faced in the primary. So they are running outside of the party structure and splitting the local party organization. This is especially true in the 23rd Senate District where incumbent Jake Knotts is facing Haley-ally Katrina Shealy (as well as a Constitution Party candidate).
Some candidates kicked off the primary ballot, especially Democrats, were surprised a the lack of support they received from the state party to pursue the petition option. The Working Families Party was in a position to help some of these candidates get on the November ballot. If any of these candidates get elected, the results could be interesting.
I am running a word-of-mouth campaign for President beginning in 2016. I will continue to run every election until I’m an old man, and then everyone will be rooting for me. I won’t be old enough to run until 2016; I’m 32 years old now. I will promote campaign finance reform.