HOW TO VOTE
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 3 ways to vote in South Carolina:
EARLY IN PERSON: during the early voting period, October 21st - November 2nd, at designated early vote location in your county
IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY: vote in person at assigned polling location between 7am and 7pm on November 5th
ABSENTEE BY MAIL: state law allows voters with qualifying reasons to vote absentee by mail
VOTING EARLY IN PERSON
EARLY VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND
(Closed on Sunday, October 27th)
Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. during the early voting period. Exact early voting locations are decided by your county voter registration location. Click county to find early voting options:
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OTHER SC COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
ALL SOUTH CAROLINA REGISTERED VOTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE EARLY IN PERSON. Voters can visit any early voting center in their county during early voting period, present their Photo ID and vote safely & securely.
NOTE: It’s possible your early voting location has changed since you last voted. Always check voting locations before leaving to vote to confirm where to cast your vote.
VOTING IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY
GENERAL ELECTION DAY IS:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
ALL polling locations across the state are open from 7am - 7pm. As long as you’re in line by 7pm you’re legally allowed to vote (stay in line!)
NOTE: It’s VERY POSSIBLE your polling location has changed since you last voted (even if you voted in the June primaries) ALWAYS CHECK (AND DOUBLE CHECK YOUR POLLING PLACE) before going to vote and confirm where you cast your vote.
Remember to take your photo ID with you. More information on acceptable voter ID & laws: click here.
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:
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