HOW TO VOTE
VOTING ABSENTEE BY MAIL
Only qualified voters are allowed to vote by absentee ballot. These include, persons:
* With employment obligations which prevent them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day
* Attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day
* Confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
* Who will be absent from their county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day
* With physical disabilities
* Sixty-five years of age or older
* Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them (Learn more about procedures related to Military and Overseas Citizens).
* Admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election (see additional details below).
Absentee voting allows qualified voters to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the 2024 General Election is 5:00 p.m. on October 25th. Contact your county voter registration office to receive an application.
ELIGIBILITY:
HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE:
1. GET YOUR APPLICATION
* You can submit your request for an application as early as January 1 of the election year
* Call, visit or send your request by U.S. mail to your county voter registration office
* You must provide your name, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number
* You will be mailed an application
* Find more information below on how Immediate Family Members and Authorized Representatives can request a voter’s application
2. COMPLETE, SIGN & RETURN THE APPLICATION
* Return the application by U.S. mail or personal delivery to your county voter registration office as soon as possible
* The deadline to return your application is 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day prior to the election
* Find more information below on how Immediate Family Members and Authorized Representatives can return a voter’s application
3. RECEIVE YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT IN THE MAIL
* Voters who have applied early will be mailed their absentee ballot approximately 30 days before the election.
4. Vote and return the ballot
* Return your ballot to your county voter registration office or an early voting center either by mail or personal delivery.
* Must present Photo ID when returning the ballot in person.
* Place the ballot in the “ballot here-in” envelope and place the “ballot here-in” envelope in the return envelope.
* Be sure to sign the voter’s oath and have your signature witnessed. Anyone age 18 or older can witness your signature.
* Ballots must be received by the county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on election day.
Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to election day to help ensure timely delivery
* Find more information below on how Immediate Family Members and Authorized Representatives can return a voter’s ballot
OTHER FAQS:
1. CAN APPLICATIONS BE REQUESTED AND RETURNED ONLINE OR BY EMAIL?
No. State law no longer allows for delivery of absentee applications electronically or by fax. See “How can I vote absentee” above.
2. HOW CAN I TRACK THE STATUS OF MY ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST?
* Check the status of your absentee request and track your ballot online or contact your county voter registration office.
3. CAN I INCLUDE ANOTHER VOTER’S APPLICATION WHEN I RETURN MINE BY MAIL?
* No, you can only return your own application by mail. Any application for another that is included with your application will not be accepted. See “How to return an application for another person” below for instructions on returning another voter’s application.
4. I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS:
* Click here for more information, resources and to answer your additional questions on voting absentee in South Carolina.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Click button to take action
Election Protection Hotline
Get Involved
Our communities need all of us. We’re making sure South Carolinians are registered, know how, where, & when to vote, and what’s on their ballot.
Will you join us as a volunteer or partner to help expand our reach and impact?