It’s that time of the year. I don’t mean back-to-school, although the two coincide. I’m talking about election season.
Around South Carolina, candidates have filed or are filing to run for many local offices. Though most media attention is focused on the presidential candidates running in the 2024 race, there will be important local elections this year for mayor, city council, and a variety of other offices and commissions.
These are the races that affect our everyday lives, where housing, traffic, flooding and other infrastructure decisions are made. At the same time, county boards of elections are gearing up to make sure these elections run smoothly and fairly and are accessible to all voters. Like going back to school, there’s a certain rhythm to the election season culminating with Election Day on Nov. 7. Let’s take a look at what everyone, including voters, is doing to get ready.
Beginning at this time of the year, boards of elections go over their list of voters to make sure their lists are up to date.
Postcards are sent to voters who might not have shown up to vote in a while to make sure their information is correct. If you’ve received such a postcard, it’s very important to respond to the board of elections so you are not removed from the polling list. Voters are not being purged, but they may be declared inactive if they do not respond. Inactive voters can still vote when they show up to vote, but it will make it a lot easier and less stressful to take care of this before Election Day.
Boards of elections are also busy confirming voting locations that are convenient and accessible to all voters. This includes no-excuse early voting locations, as a result of legislation that was signed into law in 2022, making it easier for voters to find time to vote beginning 15 days before the general election. All of this accessibility requires the hiring of more poll workers, who are critical to making elections run smoothly. Boards of elections will be actively recruiting poll workers for the upcoming elections. Go to scvotes.org to sign up to be a poll worker.
In addition to candidates and boards of elections, local Leagues of Women Voters around the state begin their season of educating voters through the league’s nonpartisan voters guide VOTE411.org and candidate forums. They do that by contacting those candidates who have filed to run and asking them to include their information and positions on local issues on VOTE411. The league has more than 100 years of nonpartisan advocacy of voting information, while not advocating for candidates or parties. In addition to learning about candidates and their positions, VOTE411 allows voters to find their polling places, including early voting locations, and what races they will be voting on. Nonpartisan candidate information helps voters decide who they want to vote for before they go to the polls.
Believing that an educated voter is our best citizen, the League of Women Voters urges every voter to make a plan to vote this election season.
It’s not too early to check that your voter registration is accurate and up to date so you don’t waste any time when you go to the polls.
Make sure you bring one of the acceptable photo IDs with you if you vote in person: a S.C. driver’s license, a current passport, a S.C. Voter ID or a federal military ID. If you qualify for voting with an absentee ballot, now is the time to call the board of elections to request an application. The ballot will be sent to you in October.
Candidates, boards of elections, the League of Women Voters and voters are all working to make every election meaningful and to make our democracy stronger with every vote we take.
Joan Zaleski is a board member with the League of Women Voters of South Carolina.
