South Carolina

Election Day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Election Day, June 9, 2026, or until the last person in line at 7 p.m. has voted. 

Absentee voters may vote by mail prior to Election Day. Absentee ballots must be received by the county elections office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. Military and overseas voters casting their ballot by mail must mail their ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day. 
Early voters may vote at an early voting location for two weeks prior to Election Day.

How to Find your Polling Place: Visit the South Carolina Election Commission’s polling place locator webpage to determine where you vote.

Registration Deadlines

• For registration deadlines, see How to Register below.

How to Check Your Registration: Voters can determine whether they are registered to vote at the following link: Am I Registered?.

You are eligible to vote in South Carolina if you:

• Are a resident of South Carolina
• Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Live in the precinct in which you want to vote
• Are a U.S. citizen

You are NOT eligible to vote in South Carolina if:

• You were disqualified from voting due to a court order
• You are in prison or jail for a conviction of any kind. (Does not include pre-trial detention.)
• You were convicted of an offense against state election laws and have not served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have not received a pardon

Restorative Requirements

• If you have completed a felony sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or you have been pardoned, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote

You are able to pre-register if you:

• Are at least 18 years old by Election Day

How to register 

• South Carolina Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election
  • In-Person Request by Fri May 8, 2026 5:00PM
  • Email, Online or Fax by Sun May 10, 2026 11:59PM
  • Submit a Printed Application: Postmarked by Mon May 11, 2026
• South Carolina Congressional, State and Gubernatorial General Election
  • Email, Online or Fax by Sun Oct 4, 2026
  • In-Person Request by Sun Oct 4, 2026
  • Submit a Printed Application: Postmarked by Mon Oct 5, 2026

How to Register

South Carolina residents may register to vote online at the South Carolina Election Commission’s website, by mail, email or fax, or in person at your county board of voter registration.

Individuals can check the status of their registration here.

Registration Deadlines

Voters seeking to register prior to the election must do so at least 30 days prior to the date of election. In-person applications for the 2026 primary election must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 2026, unless the county board holds weekend hours. Online, fax, and e-mail applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 10, 2026. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by May 11, 2026.

You are eligible to vote in South Carolina if you: 

• Are a U.S. Citizen
• Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Are a resident of South Carolina in the county and precinct in which you are registering
• Are NOT under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• Are NOT confined in any public prison resulting from the conviction of a crime
• Have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction

You are NOT eligible to vote in South Carolina if you: 

• Are incarcerated for a misdemeanor or felony conviction
• Were convicted of a felony offense and have not completed your sentence, including any period of incarceration, parole, or probation
• Were convicted of an election offense and have not fully completed your sentence, including any period of incarceration, parole, or probation

Restorative Requirements

The right to vote is automatically restored once a person has fully completed the terms of a sentence for a felony or election law conviction, they may register again to vote. A person incarcerated for a misdemeanor conviction regains the right to vote as soon as they are no longer incarcerated, even if they have not fully served parole or probation terms. Unpaid fines and fees should not impact a person’s right to vote. Individuals may be required to show proof of completion of their sentence to register to vote. 

Residency Requirements

South Carolina law does not define the period of residency for voter registration. Applicants are asked on the voter registration application to provide their address in South Carolina, sign an oath affirming that they meet the legal qualifications to register and vote, and to provide a document that bears their name and address (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, pay stub, etc.). Voters over the age of 65, those with disabilities, members of the military and their families, and U.S. citizens residing outside of the U.S. are exempt from the ID requirement.

If You Want to Vote Absentee, requests may be made:

• In-Person
• By Mail

Absentee Ballots may be returned:

• In-Person
• By Mail

South Carolina Congressional, State and Gubernatorial Primary Election

Ballot Request:

• Received by Fri May 29, 2026 5:00PM

Ballot Return:

• Received by Tue Jun 9, 2026

South Carolina Congressional, State and Gubernatorial General Election

Ballot Request:

• Received by Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:00PM

Ballot Return:

• Received by Tue Nov 3, 2026

Early Voting: Any voter can visit an early-voting location in their county. Voting locations are open between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday for two weeks before the election. 

A Photo ID is required to vote in-person. 

Absentee Voting:  

Requesting an Absentee Ballot Application
Request an application by calling, visiting or mailing a request to your county registration and election office. 
In order to vote absentee, a voter must fall into one of the following categories: 
Have work obligations preventing them from voting during early voting hours during the duration of the early voting period and during the hours polls are open on Election Day. 
Be caring for a sick or physically disabled person which prevents the voter from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period and during the hours the polls are open on Election Day. 
Be confined to a jail or pretrial facility awaiting disposition of arrest or trial for the duration of the early voting period and during the hours the polls are open on Election Day.
Be absent from their county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period and during the hours the polls are open on Election Day. 
Have physical disabilities.
Be 65 years or older. 
Be a member of, spouse of, or dependent of someone in the U.S. Armed Forces or Merchant Marines. 
Be admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a 4-day period before the election.

Voters may request an absentee ballot application as early as January 1 of the election year. Voters should request an absentee ballot application as soon as possible. 

Completing and Returning the Absentee Ballot Application
 
Voters should indicate on their absentee ballot application each election for which they wish to receive an absentee ballot, including any potential runoff elections.

Note: a runoff election will be held if no primary candidate wins 50 percent or more of the vote. In the event that no candidate receives 50 percent or more of the vote, a runoff is held two weeks after the election between the top two candidates. If a voter is requesting an absentee ballot for the primary election, they should also indicate whether they need an absentee ballot for the runoff election (on June 23, 2026).  

Voters should return the completed application to their county voter registration office by 5 p.m. on the 11^th day prior to the election (by 5 p.m. on May 29, 2026). They will then receive an absentee ballot by mail.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Application

Voters admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within four days of the election can have an immediate family member apply for and deliver an absentee ballot to them. Voters should contact their county election office for further information.

Completing and Returning the Absentee Ballot

All Absentee ballots must be received by the county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots arriving after this deadline will NOT be counted.
Military and Overseas Voters: Voters casting their ballot by mail must mail their ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The deadline for county voter registration offices to accept military and overseas voters’ ballots is one day after Election Day (June 10) at 5 p.m.  

Voters should remember to sign the voter’s oath and have their signature witnessed by someone 18 years or older. Completed ballots should be placed in the “ballot here-in” envelope and then placed in the return envelope. 

Absentee ballots may be returned to the county voter registration office in the following ways: 
In Person: The voter may bring their completed ballot to their county voter registration office or to an early voting center. As a reminder, if you choose this method, a Photo ID will be required. 
By Mail: The voter may mail the completed absentee ballot in the envelope provided to the county voter registration office. 
Note: Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to Election Day to help ensure timely delivery.

Absentee Voting Identification Requirements: If you are returning an absentee ballot by mail, you do not need identification. If you are returning the ballot in person, you will be asked to show one of the following:
Driver’s License issued by a state within the United States;
Photo ID issued by the DMV or its equivalent by a state within the United States;
U.S. Passport;
Photo Military ID issued by the federal government; or
South Carolina voter registration card with photograph.

Check the Status of An Application Request or Track an Absentee Ballot

Voters can check the status of their absentee ballot application request or track their absentee ballot here.

Absentee Ballot Assistance

Voters requiring assistance may have certain Immediate Family members or Authorized Persons request and return an application for an absentee ballot on their behalf. Voters can learn more about how to request and submit an absentee ballot application and absentee ballot for another person by contacting their county voter registration offices or learn more here. Note: Individuals may not assist more than five individuals with their absentee ballots. Help is also available at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

Voter Registration

To register to vote in South Carolina you should provide:

• Your South Carolina Driver’s License or State ID Number (online applicants only)
• Your Social Security Number

If you are registering to vote for the first time by mail, you will need to provide a copy of a valid ID. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Current and Valid Photo ID
• Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
• Current Utility Bill or Pay Check or Bank Statement

ID is not required if you are 65 or older, have a temporary or permanent physical disability, are a member of the active uniformed services or merchant marine who is absent from the county for active duty, or a spouse or dependent thereof, or are currently living outside the U.S. but otherwise eligible to vote

Voting In-Person

In South Carolina, you need to show a valid photo ID to vote. You can use any ID from this list:

• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License
• Valid South Carolina Voter ID Card with Photo
• Valid ID Issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Transportation, Highway Safety, etc.
• Valid US Passport
• Valid Military ID

Identification Requirements for Registration:

If a voter is registering to vote online, they will need either a valid S.C. Driver’s License or DMV ID. If a voter has moved, they must first update their residence address with the DMV. If they are registering by email, mail, fax, or in person, they can also use a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows their name and address.

Getting an ID:

If a voter does not have one of the required documents, they can get a free Photo ID from their county voter registration office or their local DMV office.

• If the voter is already registered to vote, they should visit their county office, provide their date of birth and last four digits of their Social Security Number. Then, the voter’s picture will be taken. 
• If the potential voter is not registered to vote, they must register and then have their photo taken on the same day. 

Identification Requirements for Voting In-Person:

When voting in person, voters will be asked to show one of the following Photo IDs at their polling place:

• SC Driver’s License
• SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
• SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
• U.S. Passport

If the Voter Forgets Their ID:

If a voter forgets to bring their Photo ID to a polling place, they may cast a provisional ballot and have the ballot counted after returning to the county voter registration office prior to the certification of the election (typically the Thursday or Friday after the election) to verify their identity. 

If A Voter Cannot Get A Photo ID:

A voter can bring their non-photo voter registration card with them to the polling place.  They may vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating they have a reasonable impediment to obtaining Photo ID.  A reasonable impediment is any valid reason, beyond their control, which created an obstacle to obtaining a Photo ID. Some examples include:

• a disability or illness
• a conflict with their work schedule
• a lack of transportation
• a lack of a birth certificate
• family responsibilities
• a religious objection to being photographed
• any other obstacle they find reasonable

This ballot will count unless someone proves to the county board of voter registration and elections that they are lying about their identity or about having the listed impediment.

To vote under the reasonable impediment exception, a voter should:

• Inform the poll managers that they do not have a Photo ID and could not get one.
• Present their current, non-photo registration card.
• Sign the affidavit provided by the poll managers stating why they could not obtain a Photo ID.
• Cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county board of voter registration and elections has reason to believe the affidavit is false.

Absentee Voting ID Requirements:

No Photo ID is required to vote absentee by mail. However, if a voter returns an absentee ballot in person, a Photo ID is required:

• Driver’s License issued by a state within the United States;
• Photo ID issued by the DMV or its equivalent by a state within the United States;
• U.S. Passport;
• Photo Military ID issued by the federal government; or South Carolina voter registration card with photograph.

Updating A Voter Registration

Voters should update their voter registration with their new address as soon as possible. A voter can update their voter registration in one of four ways:

• A voter with a valid S.C. Driver’s License or DMV ID updated with their new address can update their voter registration by submitting an online voter registration form.
• If a voter moves within the same county they are currently registered in, they may also download a change of address form and return it by mail, fax, or email.
• If a voter moves within the same county they are currently registered in, they may also fill out the back of their voter registration card and mail it to their county voter registration office. 
• Voters can also visit their county voter registration office and fill out a change of address form in person.

Moving within the Same County

If a voter moves within the same county and the same precinct, they may complete this form and mail, scan or fax the form to their county board of voter registration. Voters who move within the same precinct may also update their address at the polls. 

If a voter moves within the same county, but to a different precinct, more than 30 days prior (before May 11, 2026) to the election and updates their voter registration with their new address more than 30 days prior (before May 11, 2026), to the election, they may vote a full ballot. If the voter does not update their address more than 30 days prior (by May 11, 2026) to the election, they will be eligible to vote using a failsafe ballot, described below.

If a voter moves within the same county, but to a different precinct within 30 days of the election (after May 11, 2026), they are eligible to vote using a failsafe ballot, described below. 

Moving Between Counties

If a voter moves to a different county more than 30 days prior to an election, they must register to vote in their new county 30 days before the next election (by May 11, 2026), or else they will not be permitted to vote. 

If a voter moves to a different county within 30 days of an election (after May 11, 2026), they may vote using a failsafe ballot, described below.

Failsafe Ballot

There are two options for voting with a failsafe ballot. 

• Vote at the polling place in your previous precinct using a limited, failsafe ballot including only federal, statewide, and countywide offices. 

Go to the voter registration office in the new county in which you reside, update your address, and vote a full ballot there.

Voting Military

Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form (“FPCA”). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

• Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number

Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register your ballot.

Voting Overseas

U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:

• Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number

Your state does not require an ID to be provided in order to register your ballot.

Military and other overseas citizens may use the standard procedure for absentee voting by mail, but there are also special provisions for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and merchant marine, commissioned corps of the American Red Cross or United Service Organization (USO) attached to and serving with the Armed Forces of the U.S. outside the person’s county of residence, members or employees of any department of the U.S. government serving overseas, along with family members of all these groups, and other citizens who reside outside of the United States (together these groups are called UOCAVA voters).

Registering and Requesting an Absentee Ballot UOCAVA voters can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register to vote and to request an absentee ballot. Visit the South Carolina Election Commission’s Military & Overseas