VOTING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Voter Eligibility - Who Can Vote?

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 are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.

• Minimum Age To Vote: must turn 18 on or before election day
• Minimum Age To Register To Vote: 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.

Ways To Register To Vote

By Mail

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

• Click here to download the Mail-In Voter Registration Form

In Person

Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day

• Check The Locations Where to Register

Online

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

• Click here to Register Online

How Do I Know I'm Registered?

• 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.
• https://info.scvotes.sc.gov/eng/voterinquiry/VoterInformationRequest.aspx?PageMode=VoterInfo

Military and Overseas Citizens

• 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 (FVAP.gov) and return it to your county elections office by mail, fax or email.
• If you're using the FPCA to register to vote, it must be submitted by the voter registration deadline to participate in any particular election.
• https://www.fvap.gov/south-carolina

Voter Identification

• Voter Identification Law Enacted? YES

South Carolina has a Non-strict voter identification law

• A reasonable impediment is any valid reason, beyond your control, which created an obstacle to obtaining Photo ID.

The following documents are acceptable forms of identification,

• South Carolina driver's license
• Photo ID card issued by the SC Dept. of Motor Vehicles
• SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
• US Passport

Voter Information Lookup

• Voter Information Lookup Tool

• Use this tool to:

  • Check Your Voter Registration Status
  • Check Your Polling Place Location
  • View Your Sample Ballot
  • And more