S.C. Code Ann. § 4-7-20: Petition for formation of new counties.

Whenever two or more sections of an old county or counties desire to be incorporated into a new county there shall be filed with the Governor a petition signed by one third of the qualified electors residing within the area of each section of the old county or counties proposed to be cut off to form a new county, setting forth the boundaries of the proposed new county, the proposed name, the number of inhabitants, the area and the taxable property as shown by the last tax returns and that the proposed lines for the new county do not run nearer to any courthouse building then established than eight miles therefrom.