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Vote411.org VOTE411.org has the election information you need. Enter your address to see everything that will be on your ballot, compare candidates' positions side by side, and print out a personalized ballot. Find your polling place and check your registration in the same place. For a complete list of candidates by county, use the state's candidate search. En español: vote411.org/es |
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LWVCA is committed to providing fair, nonpartisan candidate forums that are open to the general public. Look for information on forums here as we get close to elections. |
2026 SC Voter News & Information
- Fri, Oct 2 at 5:00pm - Last day to register in person at your county voter registration office, unless your county office holds weekend hours.
- Sun, Oct 4 at 11:59pm - Last day to register online, or by email or fax. Online registration needs a South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID.
- Mon, Oct 5 - Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by this date.
- Mon, Oct 19 - Early voting begins. 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at any early voting center in your county. Closed Sunday, October 25.
- Fri, Oct 23 at 5:00pm - Last day to apply for an absentee ballot at your county voter registration office.
- Sat, Oct 31 at 6:00pm - Early voting ends.
- Tue, Nov 3 7:00am to 7:00pm - Election Day. Absentee ballots must be received by your county office by 7:00 p.m. (military and overseas voters' ballots are accepted through 5:00 p.m. on November 5).
Dates from the State Election Commission's 2026 election calendar (August 31 revision; subject to change).
Voter Registration Resources
You must be registered at least 30 days before an election to vote in it. Register online with a South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID, or by mail, email, fax or in person at your county voter registration office.
Already registered? Check your registration, find your polling place, or view your sample ballot.
An approved SC Photo ID is required to vote in person: a South Carolina driver's license, a South Carolina DMV ID card (a concealed weapons permit counts), a South Carolina voter registration card with photo, a federal military ID, or a U.S. passport. Photo IDs are available free at county voter registration offices or local DMV offices. The address on your ID does not have to be current: state law says the ID is there to confirm you are the person on the poll list, and "any address listed on the identification is not determinative of an elector's domicile for the purpose of voting" (S.C. Code § 7-13-710(E)). If a reasonable impediment keeps you from getting one, bring your non-photo voter registration card, sign the affidavit at the polls, and vote a provisional ballot.
Special Guidance
- College students: SC college students can vote at home or at school.
- Address or name changes: four ways to update your registration: online (needs an SC driver's license or DMV ID, and the DMV must have your new address first), by mailing, faxing or emailing the change form, by mailing back your voter registration card, or in person at your county office.
- Voters over 65 and voters with disabilities qualify for curbside voting and other assistance.
- Returning citizens: people who have completed the entire sentence for a felony, including probation and parole, or have been pardoned, may register to vote by submitting an application to their county voter registration office.
County Board of Elections Contact Information
(843) 719-4056
berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/elections
(843) 744-8683
vote.charlestoncounty.gov
(843) 563-0132 or (843) 832-0132
dorchestercountysc.gov
Ways to Vote
Early In-person Voting
Any registered voter can vote early, no excuse needed: Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 31, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday, October 25. Go to any early voting center in your county and bring your photo ID.
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting requires an application with a qualifying reason, such as employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, confinement in jail or a pretrial facility awaiting trial, absence from the county during early voting and on Election Day, a physical disability, being 65 or older, military service, or hospitalization within four days of the election.
- Apply to your county voter registration office by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 23.
- When your ballot arrives, sign the voter's oath in front of a witness, anyone 18 or older, who also signs and prints their name and address.
- Return the ballot by mail, or in person to your county office or to an early voting center during early voting, by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Bring your photo ID if you hand it in. An immediate family member or an authorized representative may return it for you using the state's authorization form. State law allows return only by mail or by handing the envelope to an election official, so there are no drop boxes.
- In-person absentee voting no longer exists in South Carolina; early voting replaced it in 2022.
In-Person at your Polling Location on Election Day
Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
