Ways to Vote
In South Carolina registered voters may vote early in person, vote absentee (if eligible) or vote on election day in person.
South Carolina residents must register to vote no later than 30 days prior to an election. Check your voter registration at: MySCVotes Login. If you have not yet registered to vote or have moved, see the guidance on this page: Every Vote Counts! Register to vote and be ready. | MyLO.
1. Early Voting
Early voting allows all registered voters in South Carolina to vote in person prior to election day. Voters can visit any early voting center in their county during the early voting period, present their Photo ID, and vote using the voting system like they would at their polling place on election day.
Early Voting Schedule:
For statewide general elections, there is a two-week early voting period prior to election day. The early voting centers are open from Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
For any election that is not a statewide general election or runoff election, there is also a two-week early voting period prior to election day. For these elections, the early voting centers are open Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For runoff elections, the early voting centers are open on the Wednesday through Friday (excluding holidays) immediately preceding the election. The early voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on these days.
Early Voting Locations
Voters can go to any early voting location in the county in which they are registered to vote. Each county may provide up to six early voting locations. To find the locations, check the SCVotes website: Early Voting - SC Votes - South Carolina Election Commission.
2. Absentee Voting
Absentee voting allows qualified voters in South Carolina to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day.
Who Can Vote Absentee
Absentee voting is permitted for various circumstances which are explained by the South Carolina Election Commission at: Absentee Voting - SC Votes - South Carolina Election Commission. Voters can vote absentee if employment obligations, attending a sick or physically disabled person, confinement to a jail or pretrial facility, or absence from their county of residence prevent them from voting during early voting hours and election day hours. Also, persons with physical disabilities, persons sixty-five years of age or older, persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient and Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them may vote absentee. Please see Absentee Voting - SC Votes - South Carolina Election Commission for full details.
How to Vote Absentee
Step 1: Get your application. Submit your request for an application as early as January 1 of the election year by calling, visiting or mailing your request to your county voter registration office.
Step 2: Complete, sign and return the application. Return the application by U.S. mail or in person to your county voter registration office. The deadline to return your application is 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day prior to the election.
Step 3: Receive your absentee ballot in the mail.
Step 4: Vote and return the ballot to your county voter registration office by mail or in person or to an early voting center. Present photo ID when returning the ballot in person. Ballots must be received by your county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on election day.
2. In-Person Voting on Election Day
The polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm on election day. You must vote at your designated precinct. To find your precinct, check the SCVotes website: MySCVotes Login.
