Register Before Voting

Register Before Voting

You Must Register Before You Can Vote

You must have registered at least 30 days prior to the election in order to vote in that election.

Who can register? 

To be eligible to register in South Carolina you MUST:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Be at least 18 years of age by the next general election
  • A resident of South Carolina, your county, and your voting precinct
  • Not under a court order declaring you "Mentally incompetent"
  • Not incarcerated for a felony or misdemeanor offense
  • Not on probation or parole for a felony or misdemeanor violation including of an election law

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You can register at any time.

How to register to vote? 

To Register Online:

You can register to vote at either of these 2 websites.

SCVotes  and VOTE411

Must have a S.C. Driver’s License or DMV ID

If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV before registering to vote.

Register by mail, email, fax –

  • Download a Voter Registration Application
  • Or obtain a form from:
    • Voter Registration Office
    • Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Public Safety
    • Department of Social Services
    • Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
    • Libraries

 Complete the form and mail, email or fax to your County Election & Voter Registration Office – County Boards of Voter Registration Contact Information 

Register in person - Visit your County Board of Voter Registration and register in person.

County Boards of Voter Registration Contact Information

 How to check my voter registration information?

Online: VOTE411 or SCVotes 

When checking your voter registration information, you must provide your name, county and date of birth as it appears on your voter registration card in order to view your information.

How to update my voter registration information? 

Online: SCVotes for detailed information on how to update your registration

If you have a S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID card, you can update your address using the online voter registration application.  If you haven't updated your DMV address, you must do that first:
Update your address with DMV

  • Update your voter registration address

    If your voter registration information has changed (name, address, etc.), and you still live within the same county, you may update your voter information here.

     If you have moved to a different county, you will need to re-register in your new county (see How to Register above).

    Students

    Students may register to vote where they reside while attending college.

    Many college students who live on campus receive their mail at a campus post office box.  These students must register at the physical address of their dormitory.  The student's P.O. Box can be provided for mailing and contact purposes.

    Convicted Felons

    Any person who is convicted of a felony or an offense against the election laws is not qualified to register or to vote, unless the disqualification has been removed by service of the sentence, or unless sooner pardoned.  Service of sentence includes completion of any prison/jail time, probation, parole, and payment of restitution.

    Federal and state courts provide the SEC with lists of persons convicted of felonies or crimes against the election laws.  Those persons are deleted from the state's list of active, registered voters.  The SEC notifies each voter whose name is deleted from the list.  Voters have 20 days from the date the notice is mailed to appeal.  Appeals must be made to the SEC.

    Once a person who was convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws serves his sentence; he may register to vote.  To register, the applicant must submit a new voter registration application to his county voter registration office.  To participate in any particular election, the applicant must submit the application prior to the 30-day voter registration deadline for that election.  In applying, the registrant is swearing under penalty of perjury that he is qualified to register, including having completed his entire sentence.  County voter registration boards must be satisfied that the applicant meets the qualifications; and in some cases, could require a person who has lost his voting rights due to conviction to provide some proof that he has completed his sentence.