South Carolina citizens now have more time to register to vote ahead of the 2024 General Election. Due to Hurricane Helene, the voter registration deadline has been extended to October 14. Learn more here.
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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 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.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- 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.
- 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: 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
- 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.
South Carolina does not have same day registration.
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.
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
External resources
References
- South Carolina early voting information
- South Carolina absentee ballot information
- South Carolina voter registration information
- South Carolina voter ID information
- South Carolina student voter information
- South Carolina voting rights restoration for voters with felony convictions
- South Carolina election code