How to vote in my state

South Carolina

Last updated September 22, 2022

Upcoming Election Dates and Registration Deadlines

November 8, 2022

South Carolina General Election
Voter Registration Deadline
  • Postmarked: October 11, 2022
  • In-person request by: October 7, 2022
  • Online request by: October 9, 2022
Absentee Request Deadline
  • Post received: November 4, 2022
  • In-person request by: November 4, 2022
  • Online request by: November 4, 2022
Completed Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
  • Received by: November 8, 2022
Early Voting: Monday, October 24 – Saturday, November 5 (closed Sunday, October 30)

Helpful Resources

Register
to vote

Check if you are registered

What's on your
ballot

Absentee Voting

You are qualified to vote by mail on an absentee ballot only if one of the following applies:

  • Persons with employment obligations which prevent them 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.
  • Persons attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them 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.
  • Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them 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.
  • Persons who will 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.
  • Persons with physical disabilities.
  • Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
  • Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.
  • Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election (see additional details below).

You must return your absentee ballot application four days before Election Day by 5 PM. Your completed absentee ballot must be returned to your county voter registration office by 7 PM on Election Day. 

See details of absentee voting and download the application here

Early Voting 

Any voter can visit an early voting center in their county and vote. Voters will be asked to present Photo ID when checking in to vote.

Early Voting Periods by Election

  • Statewide General Elections:
    • Monday, 15 days prior to election day, through Saturday, three days prior to election day. 
    • 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Closed Sundays and state holidays.
  • All Other Elections and Primaries:
    • Monday, 15 days prior to election day, through Friday, four days prior to election day. 
    • 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Closed Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays.
  • Runoffs:
    • Wednesday, six days prior to election day, through Friday, four days prior to election day. 
    • 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Closed on state holidays.

See details of early voting and find your early voting center here

What to Expect
on Election Day

On Election Day, polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM ET. 

Find your polling location.

Voter ID Requirements

When voting in person, you will be asked to show one of the following current and valid Photo IDs:

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

Click here for more information on voter ID in South Carolina

Language Access

Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires certain jurisdictions to provide in-language voting materials in areas with a significant number of limited English proficient voters. 

Section 208

Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act states that, “Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of the employer or office or agent of the voter’s union.” 

It is your right to bring your own interpreter to the polls, if you so choose. 

Have questions or need help voting?

Call 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683).

Bilingual assistance is available in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali. Click here for more information.