Palmetto Promise Poll Results: Billboard Lawyers Costing Us All

A new Palmetto Promise Institute statewide survey of likely South Carolina Republican primary voters shows overwhelming concern that excessive lawsuits are driving up insurance premiums and strong support for commonsense legal reforms that protect consumers, restore balance to the civil justice system, and lower costs for families. The poll also measured voter sentiment on the South Carolina gubernatorial race.

The poll, conducted in December among 800 likely 2026 Republican primary voters, found that nearly 84 percent of voters are concerned that excessive lawsuits are increasing their insurance premiums, including more than six in ten who say they are “very concerned.”

Voters also strongly agree that the legal system itself is contributing to higher costs. More than 80 percent believe that the legal system is used in ways that unfairly increase insurance costs for consumers, and 85 percent agree that excessive lawsuits raise premiums even for people who have never filed a claim.

Key Findings from the Poll Include:

• Lawsuit abuse is a major cost-of-living issue: More than 8 in 10 GOP primary voters are concerned that excessive lawsuits are increasing insurance premiums.
• Voters believe the system is broken: A broad majority agrees the legal system is being used in ways that unfairly increase costs for consumers.
• Everyone pays the price: Nearly 85 percent agree that excessive lawsuits increase insurance premiums – even for those who have never filed a claim.
• Strong consumer protections already exist: South Carolina law prohibits insurance companies from earning excess profits and requires that over-earnings be returned directly to policyholders — insurers cannot keep the money.
• Broad support for refund laws: More than 80 percent support existing refund laws, and nearly 85 percent support public notification when refunds are issued to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Other states show reform works: Florida and Georgia have seen insurance rate decreases, demonstrating that addressing lawsuit abuse can lower costs for consumers.

“These results confirm what families already know: lawsuit abuse is a hidden tax on everyday life,” said Wendy Damron, President & CEO of Palmetto Promise Institute. “They want a legal system that lowers costs, protects consumers, and ensures the benefits of reform flow directly back to South Carolinians — not special interests.”

The survey also shows strong support for broader legal and judicial reforms aimed at accountability, transparency, and fairness, including modernizing the judiciary and reducing insider control of the court system.

Regarding the 2026 gubernatorial race, the jury is still out – nearly one-third of voters are still undecided.  Among decided voters, the top three candidates are Attorney General Alan Wilson (22.5%), Lt. Governor Pamela Evette (17%) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (13.4%).  With more than four months left until the June 9th primary election, anything can happen!

HERE IS A LINK TO THE FULL SURVEY RESULTS!