Voting in South Carolina

Early Voting Now in Effect in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, SC (May 13, 2022) – Governor McMaster, on Friday, May 13, 2022, signed into law legislation passed by the General Assembly that establishes early voting in South Carolina. Any voter can visit an early-voting location in their county and vote like they would at their polling place on Election Day. Absentee By-Mail balloting is available but with significant changes to the application and balloting processes.

South Carolina State Election Commission Press Release on Early Voting Changes

In-person absentee voting is no longer allowed by SC State Law and has been replaced with a two-week early voting period.  Voters planning on voting prior to election day must vote during the Early Voting period or apply for Absentee By-Mail ballot.

SC voters now have three methods of voting:

  • Absentee (BY-MAIL ONLY)
  • Early Voting
  • Election Day

You may request an absentee ballot by calling our office at (843) 545-3339, by visiting in person, or by requesting a ballot by mail.  You can also download a copy of our application form by clicking here: 2023 Absentee Ballot Application Form (PDF). Please note that completed copies of this form must be mailed to our office. Submissions will not be accepted via email.

For more information regarding this change to South Carolina election laws, please see the following resources from scvotes.gov:

1) Early Voting Now In Effect for June Primaries - https://scvotes.gov/early-voting-now-in-effect-for-june-primaries/
2) New Changes to Absentee Voting in Effect for June 14 Primaries - https://scvotes.gov/new-changes-to-absentee-voting-in-effect-for-june-14-primaries/
3) 2022 Election Law Changes - https://scvotes.gov/resources/election-law-changes/
4) Absentee Voting - https://scvotes.gov/voters/absentee-voting/

Election Day Voting

Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.  On Election Day, voters must cast their ballot at their registered polling location or precinct.  Check your voter registration at scvotes.gov.  Absentee By-Mail Ballots cannot be returned or surrendered at the polls on Election Day.

Check in, receive ballot, vote, tabulate. The four steps to voting in South Carolina.

Curbside Voting

Any voter, who because of physical handicap or age (65 or older), cannot enter the polling place in which they are registered to vote, or are unable to stand in line to vote, may vote outside that polling place in the vehicle in which they have driven or have been driven to the polls. Outside every precinct is a designated Curbside Voting parking space that the voter will need to park in and a Poll Manager will bring the voting machine to the vehicle in order for the voter to cast their ballot.

Curbside Voting is an option on Election Day that is available to any voter that may need this service; however, voting Absentee By-Mail can eliminate driving to the polls on election day.

Moved Within the County or Name Changes

If you move within Georgetown County or have changed your name, you need to correct your voter registration information.  If you have your paper Voter Registration Card, please complete the back of the card with the correct information and return the card to our office.  If you do not have your card, you can mail, email or fax the following information to the Office of Elections and Voter Registration:

  • Birthday
  • First and Last Name
  • New Address
  • Old Address
  • Signature (if using mail)
  • Telephone Number
  • Voter Registration Number

A new voter registration card will be mailed to you after corrections are made.  The name of your precinct will appear on the white stub attached to your card and also includes the election districts you are eligible to vote in.

Register to Vote

Register Online

  • Requires S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID
  • If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV

Register by mail, email, fax

Register in person

Straight Party Voting

Voting straight party will record a vote for all candidates within the same political party of your choice. A straight party vote does not include school board, nonpartisan, petition candidates, or questions.

Nonpartisan Offices & Candidates

School Board Trustees, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Watershed Conservation Districts, Mayors, and City/Town Councils are Nonpartisan Offices. Candidates for these offices will be listed on the ballot after the partisan offices in alphabetical order by last name.

Voting For Individual Candidates

Vote for the candidates you choose regardless of party affiliation.

Combination of Straight Party & Individual Candidate Voting

Vote straight party but you may also vote for one or more candidates that are not affiliated with your straight party vote. A vote will be recorded for each candidate listed under the party you choose except where you indicated another preference.

Campaign Materials

No campaign materials are allowed within 200 feet of voting precinct or inside the precinct. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Bumper stickers
  • Buttons
  • Hats
  • T-shirts
  • Etc.