South Carolina Could See Public Portal of Judicial Complaints Under Rep. Nancy Mace Proposal

On Monday, April 27, 2026, ABC News 4 reported that U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced the launch of her “Open Bench” initiative, aimed at increasing judicial accountability in South Carolina. Mace’s proposal involves creating a publicly accessible database detailing judicial ethics complaints within the state, which she says will promote transparency in the court system.

According to Mace, the “Open Bench” initiative would make information regarding judicial conduct complaints available online. This includes the names of judges involved, the nature of the complaints, and the outcomes of those complaints. Mace stated that South Carolinians have a right to know which judges have received complaints, the reasons for those complaints, and the resulting outcomes.

Currently, public access to judicial discipline information is limited. In 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court amended the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement, mandating that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Commission on Judicial Conduct publish quarterly summaries of dismissed complaints and confidential sanctions issued against judges. While these summaries mark the first instance of regular disclosures regarding judicial misconduct complaints, they do not identify judges by name and lack details such as the court or location, preventing the public from knowing if a judge has faced multiple complaints.

Mace’s proposal seeks to create a searchable database organized by judge name, court, complaint type, and outcome. The database would be updated on a rolling basis and accessible statewide. Implementation of the initiative would require cooperation from the General Assembly and the South Carolina Supreme Court, which oversees judicial discipline.

Judges in South Carolina are selected through a legislative process and are subject to disciplinary oversight by the Commission on Judicial Conduct, with the Supreme Court holding final authority. Supporters of the existing system argue that confidentiality protects judges from reputational harm stemming from unconfirmed complaints. Critics, however, argue that the process lacks sufficient transparency.

Judicial reform has been a key component of Mace’s campaign for governor, with a focus on ethics and accountability in state government. The announcement comes as Mace is under investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee for allegedly receiving improper housing reimbursements through a congressional expense program, allegations she disputes.

In addition to the Open Bench proposal, Mace has criticized the practice of lawmakers who are attorneys participating in the selection of judges before whom they may later appear in court.