Registration
South Carolina registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
South Carolina Voting Guide
Use this South Carolina voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
South Carolina voting quick facts
Voter ID
South Carolina is listed as Strict photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Qualified voters (see below) may vote absentee in person or by mail.
Felony Voting Rights
In South Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 1 more.
Register
South Carolina voter registration options
South Carolina voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.
Online Available
Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day
- Online registration must be completed 30 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 30 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day
- In-person registration must be completed 30 days before Election Day.
military overseas Available
Submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This will both register you to vote (if not already registered) and designate you as a UOCAVA voter. The Electronic Voting Accessibility Tool (see above) will guide you through the process of completing and submitting your FPCA online. You can also get an FPCA from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website...
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The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
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Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
South Carolina voter ID laws
South Carolina voter ID rule: Strict photo ID.
Strict photo ID
South Carolina voter ID rule: Strict photo ID.
Code: S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-710
Accepted forms of ID
- South Carolina driver's license
- Photo identification card issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
- United States passport
- Military identification card bearing a photograph issued by the federal government
- South Carolina voter registration card containing a photograph
If you do not have ID
- To vote under the reasonable impediment exception, the voter must: - present a current non-photo voter registration card, - sign an affidavit explaining the impediment, and - cast a provisional ballot.
- The provisional ballot will count unless the county election commission determines the affidavit is false.
- A voter without photo identification and without a reasonable impediment may still cast a provisional ballot.
- For the provisional ballot to count, the voter must present acceptable photo identification to the county election commission before election certification.
Polling Places
South Carolina poll hours
Polling places in South Carolina are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.
7:00 AM-7:00 PM
Polling places will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Absentee Voting
South Carolina absentee and mail voting
Qualified voters (see below) may vote absentee in person or by mail.
Absentee Voting In South Carolina
Qualified voters (see below) may vote absentee in person or by mail.
Absentee Voting Eligibility
- Members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine serving outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Overseas Citizens
- Persons who are physically disabled
- Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Persons who for reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
- Government employees serving outside their county of residence on Election Day and their spouses and dependents residing with them
- Persons who plan to be on vacation outside their county of residence on Election Day
Request an absentee ballot
- Voters may request an absentee ballot in person, by phone (except authorized representatives), by mail, or by contacting your county voter registration office in the county in which you are registered.
- The voter, a member of the voter's immediate family, or the voter's authorized representative may request the absentee ballot application. An authorized representative is a registered voter who, with a voter's permission, can request an...
- Voters admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within four days of the election can have an immediate family member apply and carry a ballot to the voter.
- To have your absentee ballot returned by a person other than yourself, it is necessary for the absentee voter to compete an "Authorization to Return Absentee Ballot Form". The absentee voter completes Part I, and the person returning the...
Return an absentee ballot
- Your completed absentee ballot must be placed in the "Ballots Herein" envelope provided with your absentee ballot. The "Ballots Herein" envelope will then be placed inside a "Return Envelope" which you must sign and have witnessed before...
- State law requires the voter to sign the application for an absentee ballot and oath on the envelope used to return the absentee ballot. A "power of attorney" is not applicable for voting. Voters unable to write because of physical handicap...
Eligibility
South Carolina voter eligibility
In order to vote, South Carolina law requires one must first register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election. There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You can register at any time. Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you...
Age requirements
Voting age: must turn 18 on or before election day
Registration age: You must be 18 on or before Election Day to register.
Who Can Register?
- be a United States citizen -be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election
- be a resident of South Carolina, this county and precinct
- not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
- not be 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, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.
Voting Rights
South Carolina felony conviction voting rights
In South Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Lost Until Completion of Sentence; Automatic Restoration After
In South Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.
Citation: S.C. Const. Art. II, § 7; S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-120
Work and Voting
South Carolina time off for voting
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. South Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Time off status: No
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. South Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
South Carolina - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Time off to vote is subject to the employer. South Carolina state law does not require employers to grant time off to vote for employees.
Lookup
South Carolina voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.
Moving
South Carolina moving and student voting
Students may register to vote where they reside while attending college.
Movers and college students Voting
Students may register to vote where they reside while attending college.
Students
- Students may register to vote where they reside while attending college.
- Many college students who live on campus receive their mail at a campus post office box. These students must register at the physical address of their dormitory. The student's P.O. Box can be provided for mailing and contact purposes.
- Voter Registration Drives
- If you are planning a voter registration drive at an institution of higher learning, please make sure you have the National Voter Registration Application for students who maintain their residency outside of South Carolina. For a list of...
To register to vote in South Carolina or update your voter registration address:
- First, complete your address change with DMV on this website
- Next, visit www.scVOTES.org and submit an online voter registration application. This will allow you to register at your new address on file with DMV or update your voter registration to your new address on file at DMV.
Sources
South Carolina official voting resources
Questions
Common South Carolina questions
Can I register to vote online in South Carolina?
South Carolina lists online voter registration as available. Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days...
What voter ID rule does South Carolina use?
South Carolina is listed as Strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in South Carolina?
Polling places in South Carolina are generally open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my South Carolina voter registration or polling place?
The South Carolina voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, people with felony convictions lose voting rights until they complete the sentence, which may include parole, probation, and sometimes financial obligations; voting rights are automatically restored afterward.