Jason Belton
2026 Democratic Candidate
For SC Secretary of State
1. Ending Deceptive Practices & Breaking the Corporate Stronghold
For too long, massive corporate interests and high-overhead "corporate non-profits" have operated with little oversight, often at the expense of South Carolina donors. As your Secretary of State, I will break this stronghold by demanding total transparency. My first priority is stopping deceptive charity fundraising that siphons money away from legitimate local causes under the guise of "national" relief. I will implement strict disclosure requirements for professional fundraisers to ensure you know exactly how much of your donation reaches the actual front lines. We will restore integrity to the non-profit sector by weeding out predators and ensuring your hard-earned money stays in our communities.
2. Empowering Local Business Through Accessibility and Efficiency
The backbone of South Carolina’s economy is our local small businesses and neighborhood non-profits, yet they are often the most burdened by "red tape." I will streamline the filing process and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that stifle growth. To make government work for you, I will bring satellite offices to every county in the state. By partnering with other state agencies and utilizing existing state-funded buildings, we will create local hubs for business registration and services at no additional cost to the taxpayer. We are moving the office out of the capital and into your backyard, ensuring that every entrepreneur has the tools to succeed, regardless of their zip code.
3. Restoring Election Integrity Through Accountable Leadership
Election integrity is the cornerstone of our republic, and it requires ultimate accountability. As the state’s primary record-keeper, the Secretary of State should be a central figure in safeguarding our democratic process. I will advocate for expanded statutory power to serve as the Chair of the Election Commission. By placing a constitutional officer who is directly accountable to the voters at the head of our election system, we can ensure total transparency and uniform standards across all counties. My focus will be on securing our voter rolls, protecting ballot chains, and restoring the public’s absolute confidence that in South Carolina, it is easy to vote but impossible to cheat.
About Jason Belton
Jason Belton is a dedicated public servant with a strong track record of advocating for labor rights, community empowerment, and social justice. He serves as the Vice President of the Greater Columbia Central Labor Council, where he works tirelessly to represent the interests of local unions and promote fair labor practices throughout South Carolina.
With over two years as the Operations Director for the South Carolina American Federation of Labor and continue reading
not about business as usual