South Carolina General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:09 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:29 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
South Carolina offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in South Carolina by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
South Carolina offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. South Carolina offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 19 to Oct 31. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Contact your local election office to receive your absentee application.
- Visit the South Carolina website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on South Carolina's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on South Carolina’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the South Carolina State Election Commission website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on South Carolina's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in South Carolina.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check South Carolina’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Carolina.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Carolina driver's license or South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card (includes standard license and REAL ID)
- South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit
- South Carolina voter registration card with photo
- US military ID (includes all Department of Defense photo IDs and Veterans Affairs benefits card)
- US passport (includes US Passport ID Card)
Voters without ID: If you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot after showing your current non-photo voter registration card and signing an affidavit stating why you could not obtain photo ID. If you do not have photo ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or you simply forgot to bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote a provisional ballot. However, for your vote to be counted, you must provide one of the photo IDs to the election commission prior to certification of the election (usually Thursday or Friday after the election).
Can I register to vote online?
- South Carolina offers online voter registration.
- To register online in South Carolina, you need a Social Security number and either a South Carolina driver’s license or a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) ID. If you don’t have a South Carolina-issued ID, you can still register by mail.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the South Carolina State Election Commission.
Can I vote early?
Yes, South Carolina does offer early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 19 and Oct 31.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check South Carolina's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Carolina.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Carolina driver's license or South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card (includes standard license and REAL ID)
- South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit
- South Carolina voter registration card with photo
- US military ID (includes all Department of Defense photo IDs and Veterans Affairs benefits card)
- US passport (includes US Passport ID Card)
Voters without ID: If you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot after showing your current non-photo voter registration card and signing an affidavit stating why you could not obtain photo ID. If you do not have photo ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or you simply forgot to bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote a provisional ballot. However, for your vote to be counted, you must provide one of the photo IDs to the election commission prior to certification of the election (usually Thursday or Friday after the election).
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the South Carolina voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in South Carolina, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in South Carolina partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In South Carolina, you are required to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box. Your voter registration application may be rejected if you fail to do so.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
South Carolina allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on South Carolina's site.
How do I get my ballot?
Contact your local election office to determine if you are eligible and request a ballot by mail. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 11 days before election day.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Watch this video about voting by mail from the South Carolina State Election Commission.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the South Carolina State Election Commission website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 2 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Online : Oct 4 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 23 by 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. EST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. EST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in South Carolina.
Acceptable forms include:
- South Carolina driver's license or South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card (includes standard license and REAL ID)
- South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit
- South Carolina voter registration card with photo
- US military ID (includes all Department of Defense photo IDs and Veterans Affairs benefits card)
- US passport (includes US Passport ID Card)
Voters without ID: If you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot after showing your current non-photo voter registration card and signing an affidavit stating why you could not obtain photo ID. If you do not have photo ID and do not have a reasonable impediment to obtaining one, or you simply forgot to bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote a provisional ballot. However, for your vote to be counted, you must provide one of the photo IDs to the election commission prior to certification of the election (usually Thursday or Friday after the election).
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the South Carolina State Election Commission website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in South Carolina you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
- be a resident of South Carolina in the county and precinct in which you are registering
- claim the address on your voter registration application as your only legal place of residence and claim no other place as your legal residence
- not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
- not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
- never have 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
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in South Carolina. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using South Carolina's voter registration lookup tool.
Watch this video about how to check your registration status from the South Carolina State Election Commission.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In South Carolina, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The State Election Commission oversees elections and election administration in South Carolina. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.