The Conversation, By the Numbers
From November 18–April 30, 2026, South Carolinians answered this question: If South Carolina’s state leaders and residents could solve one problem, what should it be?
Total number of visits
to our digital platform
Actions Taken
Issues Submitted
Countries Represented
Based on Zip Code
Unique Contributors
The People Behind the Data
DEMOGRAPHICS
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
Disclaimer: All contributors were asked to provide demographic data and XX% provided it.
From the
Lowcountry
to the Upstate
Participation by region.
The Full Conversation
When we asked what needs to be fixed, this is what South Carolinians said. Tap a circle to see what's inside.
- Infrastructure & Transportation: 193
- Governance, Elections & Civic Engagement: 172
- Economy, Taxes & Cost of Living: 133
- Healthcare & Public Health Access: 109
- Environment, Conservation & Land Use: 84
- Education & Youth Development: 74
- Justice, Public Safety & Family Services: 68
- Housing & Real Estate: 65
From 25 issues to 6 priorities
Then, we identified the top 25 issues based on demographic and political consensus that we shared in this report: https://scforum.org/insights. We invited South Carolinians to vote for their top 6 issues. Once again, South Carolinians from across the state stepped up and 8,023 people selected what matters most.
AGE
n=4,508POLITICAL LEAN
n=2,949RACE/ETHNICITY
n=4,005- White
- Black
- Hispanic/Latino
- Other
REGION
n=3,447Where South Carolina Stood Together
These are the issues that South Carolinians care most about:
Roads and other infrastructure failing to keep up with rapid growth
Career Politicians Stay Too Long and Lose Touch with Voters
Rising Cost of Living and Slow Wage Growth Creates Major Challenges
Rising Property and Vehicle Taxes Create Affordability Issues
Uncontrolled Development Is Destroying Natural Resources
Rising Utility Bills Squeeze Household Budgets
Out of the 6 most-voted issues:
Voters with at least 1 issue in top 3
Voters with at least 1 issue in top 6
Now, We
Go Deeper
Your priorities don't end on this page. Here's where they go next.
PHASE 2:
Deliberative small-group conversations
Beginning in 2026, South Carolinians will gather in small-group deliberative conversations to weigh trade-offs and explore solutions to the highest-priority issues surfaced in this report.
PHASE 3:
Civic Assembly
PHASE 4:
Legislative engagement and citizen advocacy
Built on Transparency
What is The South Carolina Forum?
The South Carolina Forum is a new way for people across the state to be heard, find common ground, and turn shared priorities into legislative action. All South Carolinians are invited to join our free online platform, participate in face-to-face deliberative forums, and advocate for broadly supported recommendations with elected leaders and fellow state residents. Our staff and advisory teams include experienced, politically diverse leaders from across the state. The South Carolina Forum is a nonprofit, nonpartisan project of OnePeople, Inc, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The project is funded wholly by charitable donations, not by parties, political donations, or special interests. Learn more at https://scforum.org.
What is our data privacy policy?
The South Carolina Forum exists to create a respectful deliberative space for people in South Carolina to share issues, exchange ideas, and engage in constructive conversation. The South Carolina Forum is committed to using technology responsibly, protecting participants' privacy, and strengthening civic participation. We collect and process only the information necessary to operate our digital platforms, foster constructive dialogue, ensure diverse participation, and improve the project. We do not sell personal information. Transparency and trust are foundational to our work.
The South Carolina Forum uses personal data solely to support civic engagement, public dialogue, research, and inclusive participation. We do not use personal data to influence voting behavior, promote or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures, or conduct political persuasion activities.
Behind the Numbers
Every result in this report was produced by a transparent, repeatable process. Here’s exactly how it worked.
Disclaimer: The Forum is a demonstration project designed to test a new approach to public engagement using multiple digital tools. The data reflects input contributed by participants who choose to engage in the process. As we adapt the design to foster broad participation, we are actively reviewing data to improve accuracy and reduce duplication. This is not a formal research study, and while we strive for rigor, some errors or inconsistencies may occur.
How to Join Community Conversations
Phase 2 is coming. Small-group conversations are forming across South Carolina — and your voice belongs in the room.
The South Carolina Forum · scforum.org