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How to vote in South Carolina

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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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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.

What key changes should voters know about?

Due to a court order on October 4, the voter registration deadline for the South Carolina General Election has been extended to October 14 because of the impact of Hurricane Helene.

Visit the South Carolina State Election Commission website or contact your local election office to learn more.

Do I have to register with a party to vote in a partisan primary election?

You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in South Carolina partisan primary elections.

How do I register with a party?

South Carolina does not offer voter registration by party.

Registration Top Actions

Voting Top Actions

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Can I register to vote online?

  • South Carolina offers online voter registration.
  • You should know: you need a valid driver's license or identification card issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a Social Security number to register online. If you don’t have a South Carolina-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on South Carolina’s website.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Use the National Voter Registration Form

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: When submitting your application by mail in South Carolina, you are required to provide at least the last four digits of your Social Security number and a copy of ONE of the following forms of ID: current valid photo ID; current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address in the county where you register to vote If you do not provide a copy of proof of ID, you will be required to provide it before voting. You are exempt from the ID requirement when submitting a voter registration application by mail if you: are 65 years old or older; have a disability; are a member of the US Uniformed Services or Merchant Marines or their family; are a US citizens residing outside the US
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in South Carolina partisan primary elections.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are required to fill in this box. Your application may be rejected if you fail to do so.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office.
  8. If you are registering for the first time in this county, you must submit a copy of proof of identification with this application. Proof of identification includes: current valid photo ID, current utility bill, current bank statement, current paycheck, or other current government document that shows your name and address in this county. If you do not provide this identification with your application, you will be required to provide it before voting. Voters who are age 65 and over, voters with disabilities, members of the U.S. Uniformed Services or Merchant Marines and their families, and U.S. Citizens residing outside the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

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.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

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.

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

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

South Carolina does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in South Carolina before you turn 18 if you:
  • are 18 on or before South Carolina's next election, which is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
  • are a citizen of the United States
  • are 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
  • are not under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
  • are not confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
  • have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws, or if previously convicted, you have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction

You can register to vote 120 days before the voter registration books close for a preceding primary if you are not yet 18 years old and will turn 18 before the next ensuing general election. Voter registration books close 30 days before each election.
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a primary election if you are not yet 18 and will turn 18 before the ensuing general election.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the South Carolina State Election Commission website.
To register using the South Carolina online voter registration system, you are required to provide your Social Security number and ONE of the following ID numbers:
  • South Carolina Driver’s License
  • South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) ID

If you don’t have a South Carolina-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in South Carolina, you are required to provide at least the last four digits of your Social Security number and a copy of ONE of the following forms of ID:
  • current valid photo ID
  • current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address in the county where you register to vote

If you do not provide a copy of proof of ID, you will be required to provide it before voting.

You are exempt from the ID requirement when submitting a voter registration application by mail if you:
  • are 65 years old or older
  • have a disability
  • are a member of the US Uniformed Services or Merchant Marines or their family
  • are a US citizens residing outside the US

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the South Carolina State Election Commission website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in South Carolina:
  • county board of voter registration
  • Department of Motor Vehicles

You can also find a list of locations that provide voter registration services at scvotes.gov.

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, South Carolina offers 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.

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 non-photo voter registration card. 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 can I check the status of my ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on South Carolina’s site.
Watch this video about voting in person 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.

      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 non-photo voter registration card. 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 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?

      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.

      How do I see what's on my ballot?

      View your sample ballot on the South Carolina State Election Commission's website. Available ballot information may vary depending on the upcoming election.

      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:
      1. 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.
      2. Send the application to your local election office.
      3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
      4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
      5. 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

      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.

      How do I contact my state election office?