South Carolina

South Carolina does not have an absentee/mail ballot curing process. We recommend that you track the status of your ballot using your state’s online tool before Election Day to make sure it has been received and accepted.  

If you cast a provisional ballot due to not having the proper photo identification, you must appear before the county with your valid photo ID and fill out a form to correct the issue prior to certification of the election, which can begin as early as 7am on the Friday after the election. You can also check the status of your provisional ballot online. 

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Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

What is a ballot drop box?

A drop box is a secure, locked structure operated by election officials where voters can deliver their absentee ballot any time, day or night.

Are drop boxes available in my state?

No, drop boxes are not available in South Carolina. 

Where can I find ballot drop box locations?

While there are no official drop boxes,  you can vote and return the ballot to your county voter registration office either by mail or personal delivery.  

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 can witness your signature.  A notary is not necessary.   

Early Voting Starts: 15 days before Election Day 
Early Voting Ends: The Saturday before Election Day

You may vote early during a two-week early voting period. You can vote at any early voting location in your county (locations may be found at https://www.scvotes.gov/early-voting) and vote exactly the same way you would at your polling place on Election Day. You must still show an acceptable form of photo ID in order to cast your ballot.

For more information, please contact your local elections officials.

The next election dates can be found here https://www.vote411.org/south-carolina.

Contact your local Board of Elections for more information.

The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

To be eligible to vote you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years old on or before the election
• A resident of South Carolina
• Not under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• Not confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens: 

In South Carolina, you lose your right to vote if you are incarcerated after a criminal conviction (felony or misdemeanor). People who were incarcerated for misdemeanors can register to vote immediately after their release, while people who were convicted of felony offenses or election offenses must complete their sentence—including incarceration, parole, and probation—before registering to vote. Pretrial detention does not restrict your voting rights in South Carolina. 

Voters without traditional residence: 

If you do not have a street address or a permanent residence, use the map provided on your voter registration form to show where you live or spend most of your time, with landmarks and road names. If you do not receive mail at your residential address, the mailing address on their registration form can be a P.O. box, local shelter, advocacy organization, outreach center, or the home of someone who will accept mail for you. 

Do I need an ID to register to vote in South Carolina?

If you are registering for the first time by mail, you must attach a copy of a document to the application. 

What types of ID are accepted for registration?

You must provide a copy of either: 

• A current valid photo ID
• Current utility bill
• Current bank statement
• Current paycheck
• Other government document that shows your name and address in the county where you wish to vote. 

What if I don’t have an ID?

If you do not provide this identification information by mail, you will be required to provide it when you vote.

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline

Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are working around the clock to count an unprecedented number of ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.

Official election results will be uploaded on South Carolina’s Election Commission website as they become available. 

You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.

You can make sure we have safe, fair, and efficient elections for all. Become a poll worker today!

In order to be a poll worker in South Carolina, you must be:

• Registered to vote in South Carolina
• At least 18 years of age
• A resident of the county 30 days prior to the election
• Complete required training
• Students 16 years or older may serve as poll manager's assistant

You will be entitled to compensation. You can fill out the application to become a poll worker here!

To sign up, contact your local board of elections.

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.

South Carolina is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

You may vote a provisional ballot if you meet specific conditions.

You can cast a provisional ballot if:

• A poll manager or any voter has reason to believe that you might be ineligible to vote
• Your name does not appear on the voter registration rolls
• You do not have your proper photo ID

All provisional ballots are kept separate and not counted on election night. You will be given written instructions on the time and place of the provisional ballot hearings and, if the voter registration office can determine you were registered, the provisional ballot will be counted.

Provisional Ballots are counted before the Friday after a General Election or the Thursday after a Primary or Runoff Election. You can check the status of your provisional ballot online.

What voting assistance is available for voters with disabilities?

The Help America Vote Act requires that election authorities have voting equipment for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently, and South Carolina is no exception. 

Assistance in marking a ballot is allowed only if you are blind, illiterate or physically handicapped. 

If you are entitled to receive assistance you may choose anyone to assist except your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union.

If you, because of physical handicap or age (65 or older,) cannot enter the polling place in which you are registered to vote, or are unable to stand in line to vote, you may vote outside that polling place in the closest available parking area utilizing the vehicle in which you have driven or have been driven to the polls.

Each precinct offers an accessible voting machine featuring an audio ballot, headphones and braille.

How do I request accommodation or report accessibility issues?

If you have any questions about receiving help in voting, please ask the clerk or inspector at the polling place.

Can I vote by mail because of my disability?

Vote-by-mail (absentee voting) is available in South Carolina if you sick or physically disabled. You can find more about how to vote by mail here. 

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Time off to vote is subject to the employer, there is no requirement for employers to grant time off to vote for employees.

To verify your voter registration status

You must show an acceptable form of photo ID in order to vote.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• South Carolina Driver's License
• ID Card Issued by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
• South Carolina Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
• U.S. Passport

If you do not have one of the above photo IDs, you can get one for free by:

• Registered voters can get a voter registration card with a photo from their county voter registration and elections office by providing their date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.
• Get a DMV ID card at a local DMV office. To see what documentation is required click here.

If you do not have a photo ID on Election Day you may be able to vote a provisional ballot after showing your non-photo voter registration card. You must have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID in order to vote the provisional ballot. Reasonable impediments include:

• Religious objection to being photographed
• Disability or illness
• Work schedule
• Lack of transportation
• Lack of birth certificate
• Family responsibilities
• Any other obstacle you find reasonable

To vote under the reasonable impediment exception:

• Present your current, non-photo registration card at the polling place
• Sign an affidavit stating why you cannot obtain a photo ID
• Cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county election commission has reason to believe your affidavit is false.

If you do not have a photo ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or you forgot to bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote a provisional ballot. However, for your vote to be counted you must provide one of the photo IDs to the county election commission prior to certification of the election (usually the Thursday or Friday after the election).

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline

Online registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day

Register by mail deadline: Postmarked 30 days before Election Day

In-person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day

To register online you must:

• Have a South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID 
• Update your residence address with the DMV if you have moved

You may also download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it via mail, fax, email, or in-person to your county board of voter registration. Mail applications must be postmarked at least 30 days before the election to be eligible.

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote.

Not registered? Use our online registration tool to complete your application! 

What types of voting machines does South Carolina use?

The voting system used in South Carolina is Paper-Based Voting System.

What is Paper-Based Voting System? 

After signing in at your polling place, voters are given a blank ballot card to insert into the voting machine. Voters then make their selections by touching the screen on the voting machine. After completing the last page, hit the "next" button on the machine to review your selections. You can change a selection at this time, or move forward with the process by clicking "next." 

Once you are done making your selections, print your ballot by pressing the PRINT CARD icon found at the bottom of the voting machine screen. Review the printed ballot card - if you need to make a change to the card you can contact a poll manager to ask for a replacement. When you're ready to cast your ballot, take the ballot card to the scanner and insert it face down on the green arrow. The scanner counts your vote and places the paper ballot into a locked ballot box.

For more information, please contact the South Carolina Election Commission.

You can learn more about voting systems by checking out the Elections Assistance Commission's (EAC) resource.