How to vote in South Carolina

• 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.

• You can register online if you have a South Carolina driver’s license or non-driver ID card.

• 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.

1. Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
2. Box 6 - ID Number: You must provide at least the last four digits of your Social Security number. You may provide your full Social Security number on a voluntary basis. Social Security number does not appear on any report produced by the State Election Commission nor is it released to any unauthorized individual.
3. 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.
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. Put the choice that best describes you from the list below: - American Indian or Alaskan Native - Asian or Pacific Islander - Black, not of Hispanic Origin - Hispanic - Multi-racial - White, not of Hispanic Origin - Other
5. 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.
6. Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
7. 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.

• 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.

• 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

South Carolina does not allow you to request your ballot online.

1. Visit the South Carolina vote by mail website.
2. Fill out all of the required fields.
3. Print the application.
4. Sign and date your application. This is very important.
5. Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
6. 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.
7. Your application must be received by 11 days before Election Day.

1. Visit your local election office.
2. Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
3. Fill out all of the required fields.
4. Sign and date your application.
5. The deadline to apply in person is 11 days before Election Day.

1. Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
2. Sign and date the outside envelope.
3. Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office.
4. If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
5. If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
6. 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:
  • To request your absentee ballot application, you must provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. Contact your local election office to request an application.
  • To complete the mail ballot application, you must provide your Voter Registration Certification 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.

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

Dates & Deadlines

• Emergency ballot request ends Election Day
• Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day

Contact your local election office