Voting in South Carolina

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State Primary Election

06/11/2024
State Primary Election Day
05/13/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked)
05/10/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (in-person)
05/12/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (online)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

05/31/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
06/11/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Early Voting Dates

05/28/2024
Early Voting Begins
06/07/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a state primary. Click here for additional info, including party requirements and what's on the ballot.

Polling place hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in South Carolina

Learn about all the options to vote in South Carolina to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

South Carolina Board of Elections Phone Number: (803) 734-9060

South Carolina Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in South Carolina

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

South Carolina Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on South Carolina’s elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at (803) 734-9060.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in South Carolina’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice.

You can also find South Carolina’s elections office here and contact them by phone at (803) 734-9060.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in South Carolina.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

05/31/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
06/11/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Received By)

Excuse required to vote by mail.

How Vote By Mail Works in South Carolina

Voting by mail is a two step process in South Carolina.

Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received by mail is 11 days before Election Day. An excuse is necessary in order to vote by mail.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Sign your ballot in the presence of an adult witness, they must sign, too.
  • Return in person to your county voter registration and election office by Election Day. A valid photo ID is required for this method of ballot return.
  • Or stamp and mail your ballot - the ballot must be received by Election Day. We recommend mailing your ballot at least two weeks before as the post office is not always reliable. The best intentions or postmark will not matter if your ballot is received after Election Day - your ballot will not count.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Witness or Notary Requirement

Grab a friend! After you fill out your ballot, sign the voter's oath on the return envelope. The witness must sign, too.

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

The outside of the ballot carrier envelope. You must sign in the presence of a witness, who will also sign.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot.

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Anyone you designate may return your ballot. They will have to complete an Authorization to Return Absentee Ballot Form.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you would like to vote in person, you must first return your unmarked absentee ballot to your county board of voter registration. They will give you a certificate. You then take the certificate to your polling place and show it to the poll workers. You can then vote in person.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

South Carolina does not offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot. Your ballot will not count if it is late, or you do not follow directions.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

South Carolina voters must provide a valid photo ID to vote. Valid forms of identification include;

  • South Carolina Driver’s License
  • South Carolina DMV ID Card
  • South Carolina Voter Registration Card with photo
  • Federal Military ID with photo
  • U.S. Passport

If a voter has a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID, they may list that impediment, present a current non-photo voter registration card and sign an affidavit at the polls in order to receive a provisional ballot.

 

 

Voter ID in South Carolina

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Statewide Primaries

Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open

The election is an open primary. You may choose to vote in any party’s primary.

The South Carolina primary election includes the following races:
– U.S. house of representatives
– State legislators

In your state, 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by November 5th are able to vote in the state primary election.

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at the address on their drivers license or other state issued ID card. If you have moved but have not updated your ID with your new address, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

05/28/2024
Voting Begins
06/07/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in South Carolina

Early voting is available to all voters at any early voting center in your county. Be sure to bring proper photo ID when you go to vote.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In South Carolina, you can preregister to vote if you are 18 by the next election. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can vote in the South Carolina primaries if you are 17 by the next election.