Upcoming Elections
2010 Primary Election: 06/8/10
2010 General Election: 11/2/10
For 2009 Special Election dates visit the State Election Commission's website.
Polling Place Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Click here to download a South Carolina Frequently Asked Questions document created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Voter Registration Information
Click here for a South Carolina Voter Registration Guide created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Registration Deadlines
Voters must register at least 30 days before an election
Deadline for 2010 General Election: 10/2/10
Identification Required for Registration
applicant must provide ID and a valid social security number.
- The South Carolina Voter Registration Application states that one must attach an ID to the application if one is registering for the first time in the county. Acceptable forms of ID include a current valid photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document that shows the applicant's name and address in the county where such person is registering to vote. If an applicant does not provide this identification information at the time of application, he/she will be required to provide this information when voting.
- Further, the application requires the applicant's social security number. If an applicant does not provide his/her social security number, the application for voter registration will be denied.
How to Check Registration
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Check the South Carolina Election Commission Voter Registration Lookup webpage.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
To vote on Election Day, an individual must present one of the following items at their polling place:
- Voter Registration Card,
- Driver's License, or
- DMV-issued ID Card
If an individual registered to vote by mail, is voting for the first time, and did not submit proof of ID with their application; then the individual may not vote with only their voter registration card. Additional ID, such as a driver's license, will be required.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Visit the South Carolina State Election Commission Precinct Finder webpage.
Absentee Voting
Click here to visit GoVoteAbsentee.org, a resource for absentee voters.
Any registered voter, who meets any of the following criteria, is eligible to vote an absentee ballot:
- Students, their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees, their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Overseas citizens
- For reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
- Physically disabled persons
- Persons on vacation
- Persons age 65 or older
- Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election or at least four days prior to the election \
- Electors with a death or funeral in the family within 3 days before the election
- Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
- Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
- Persons serving as jurors in a state or federal court on election day
- Certified poll watchers and poll managers
Voters can begin applying as early as January 1 to vote absentee for any election held during that same year.
Voters may request an absentee ballot in person, by phone (except authorized representatives), by mail, or by contacting your county voter registration office in the county in which you are registered.
If applying by mail, the county voter registration office must receive the absentee ballot application no later than four days prior to the election. If the voter wishes, they may apply and vote in person up until 5:00 p.m. the day before the election.
Early Voting
In South Carolina you may vote early at your local election office by casting an "absentee" ballot in person.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
Moves Within Same County
- Any registered voter who moves to a different precinct within the same county must be allowed to vote, even though he/she has not previously notified the county board of voter registration of the move. This provision is referred to as "Fail-Safe Voting". To determine if a voter qualifies for a Fail-safe ballot, the poll manager must follow the steps below:
- Ask each voter if the address shown on the voter registration certificate is current and correct. The poll manager may require additional identification to verify an address if there is doubt.
- If it is determined that the voter has moved to a different precinct within the same county, regardless of when the move was made, a manager or the voter must complete the CHANGE OF ADDRESS information on the provisional ballot envelope. Then, have the voter sign the envelope.
- The voter will then be allowed to vote a special Fail-safe ballot for federal, statewide, and countywide offices and questions. This ballot must then be placed in the provisional ballot envelope. The ballot is then deposited in the envelope. Make a checkmark in the box beside the word "Fail-safe" on the envelope
OR
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- The voter, at his/her discretion, may go to the county board of voter registration office on election day, re-register in his/her new precinct, and vote a full ballot for all offices.
Moves to Another County within State
- A voter who moves to another county in South Carolina within 30 days of an election may vote a Fail-Safe ballot, at his/her polling place in his/her prior county or the voter may register at his/her new county voter registration office and vote a full ballot.
Information for People with Felony Convictions
Voting rights restored upon completion of sentence, including prison, parole and probation
For more information, go to the South Carolina State Election Commission's website, or click here to download a South Carolina Election Protection Manual created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
