How to vote in South Carolina
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South Carolina voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Postmarked by 30 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 30 days before Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your South Carolina registration using the South Carolina voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in South Carolina you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be 18 years old by Election Day
- be a resident of South Carolina, and live in the county and precinct where you are registering
- not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
- never have been convicted of a felony or offense against Election Day laws, or if previously convicted, have served your entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction
- not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
You can register to vote online if you have a South Carolina driver license, driver permit, or photo ID card issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Visit the South Carolina online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 30 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: South Carolina requires you to provide your full social security number. This is for internal purposes only. Your social security number will not appear on any public record and will not be released to any unauthorized individual.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You do not have to register with a party to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: This information is required, but your voter registration form will not be rejected if you leave this blank.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be postmarked by 30 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your South Carolina driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and South Carolina address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Voting rights are restored upon completion of parole or probation. Some counties might ask you to show proof that you're no longer under supervision before letting you register to vote.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You can vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
South Carolina absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 11 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 11 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
You can vote by absentee ballot in South Carolina if:
- you are physically disabled
- you are away at school
- you are unable to vote on Election Day due to work, illness, or a death in the family
- you will be outside of your county on Election Day
- you will be serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day
- you are 65 years of age or older
- you are unable to vote at polling locations due to religious observances (presidential primaries only)
- you are a member of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, American Red Cross, or the spouse or dependent of someone who is
South Carolina does not allow you to request your ballot online.
- Visit the South Carolina vote by mail website.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 11 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 11 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
- Online application: You must include the last 4 digits of your social security number.
- Paper application: You must include your voter registration number.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
To return your voted ballot you will be required to sign the voter's oath and have your signature witnessed. The signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: South Carolina absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it, or if you forget to have your ballot signed by a witness.
- You must make corrections by 7:00 pm on Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
If you are admitted to a hospital within the 4 days before Election Day, you may designate a family member obtain an a ballot, bring it to you to vote, and then return your voted ballot.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
South Carolina early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 15 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 3 days before Election Day
You must show a government-issued photo ID that includes your signature at the polls. You can use any photo ID issued by the State of South Carolina or the Federal Government. You cannot use a student ID to vote in South Carolina. If you are unable to show a valid ID you can vote using a provisional ballot.
South Carolina voter ID guide
You must show a government-issued photo ID that includes your signature at the polls. You can use any photo ID issued by the State of South Carolina or the Federal Government. You cannot use a student ID to vote in South Carolina. If you are unable to show a valid ID you can vote using a provisional ballot.
- Online application: You must include the last 4 digits of your social security number.
- Paper application: You must include your voter registration number.
To return your voted ballot you will be required to sign the voter's oath and have your signature witnessed. The signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
You can register to vote online if you have a South Carolina driver license, driver permit, or photo ID card issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for South Carolina elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State Election Commission P.O. Box 5987 Columbia, SC 29250‐5987