Don’t Skip the Primary: It Shapes the Final Ballot.
Vote in the June 9 Primary
You must be registered to vote by May 10 to vote in the June 9th Primary.
You can register at your county election office or online at www.scvotes.gov. It takes 2 minutes to complete online. If you are 18 on or before the General Election on November 3, you may vote in both the Primary and the General Election.
What is the primary? It’s our system for narrowing a field of candidates down to one candidate per party per race. Most of our elections are partisan, with candidates representing a political party. In partisan elections, only one person per party can run in the November general election for a given seat. If multiple candidates from a single party are running for a seat, they first must compete against each other in a primary election. The winner of that primary will represent the party in the general election.
Why is it important to vote in the Primary? For one thing, all elections are important. The problem with our primaries is that far too few people vote. Primaries are a crucial stage in the process of selecting the people who will make crucial decisions on our behalf about how our county, our state, and our nation work.
In addition, for many elected offices, the primary election is the most important election. Because so many seats are “safe” (or uncontested) for one political party, the general election is often a sure bet for that party. So, the “real” challenge, if any, happens in the primary election. This means that voting in the primary election is often your best opportunity to have a say in who represents you. If you only vote by party, be aware that candidates within the same party can vote very differently on various issues. Check what candidates stand for, not just which party they identify with. If you skip the primary, you’re letting others choose candidates from each party for the General election.
What do I need to bring to vote in person? Acceptable Photo IDs include:
- SC Driver's License - includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card - includes standard ID card and REAL ID & includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID - Includes all Dept of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport - Includes US Passport ID Card
When can I vote?
- On Election Day, June 9: The election will be held at polling places throughout the county from 7 am to 7 pm. You can find your polling place by calling the election office at 864.898.5849 (Pickens County) or 864.638.4196 (Oconee) or go online at SCVotes.gov
- Early Voting. Dates: Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, June 5 at 5 pm. Hours are: 8:30 am and 5 pm (Monday – Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday).
Pickens County Early Voting Centers
All Municipalities:
- County Voter Registration Office: 222 McDaniel Ave, Suite B-9, Pickens, SC 29671
- Capt. Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library: 304 Biltmore Rd, Easley, SC, 29640
- Larry Bagwell Gymnasium: 111 Walkers Way,Easley, SC 29642
- Dacusville Community Center: 2671 Earls Bridge Rd, Easley, SC, 29640
- East Clemson Baptist Church: 230 Frontage Rd Clemson, SC 29631
Oconee County Early Voting Center
All Municipalities
- County Voter Registration Office: 415 S Pine Street, Walhalla, SC 29691
3. Absentee Ballot. If you have an “excuse,” you can vote absentee by mail. Excuses include being age 65+, if you are unable to vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day and there are others. For a complete list of “excuses” and the latest information about absentee voting, visit SCVotes.gov.
You should start that process immediately. Contact your Board of Elections and Voter Registration office – Pickens County, 864.898.5948; Oconee County, 864-638-4196. You may request an application by phone, mail, or in person. May 29 is the deadline to apply for an Absentee Ballot. Voting absentee by mail requires several steps. Act fast to make sure you can complete all the steps and get your ballot submitted on or before June 9.
How can I find out about the candidates? There are several sources that can help. At Vote411.org, you can read candidates’ answers to questions about their background and their views on public issues. Also, visit the candidate’s website for information on issues they support, attend a Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oconee and Pickens Counties (LWVOP), or watch televised candidate debates. Know who you are voting for and why. Research the candidates.
You can go to SCVotes.gov to print out your sample ballot for your county. Your sample ballot will contain the offices and the candidates for which you will be eligible to vote for in the Primary Election. Mark up your ballot and take it with you to the polls when you vote.
ALWAYS CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION
EVERY ELECTION AT SCVotes.gov
