Early in-person voting for South Carolina's November midterm election began Monday, Oct. 19, and will continue through Saturday, Oct. 31, election officials said. Election Day is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
When and where you can vote early
Early voting centers across the state will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday, Oct. 25. Voters should check local county election websites or scVOTES.gov for the exact locations of early voting sites in their county.
Important dates at a glance
| Date | Deadline or event |
|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | Voter registration deadline (already passed) |
| Oct. 19 | Start of in-person early voting |
| Oct. 23 | Last day to apply for an absentee ballot |
| Oct. 31 | End of in-person early voting |
| Nov. 3 | Election Day and absentee ballot return deadline at 7:30 p.m. |
Photo ID rules and provisional ballots
South Carolina law requires voters who cast ballots in person to present a current and valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include:
- South Carolina driver's license (including standard and REAL ID)
- Department of Motor Vehicles photo ID card (including standard and REAL ID)
- South Carolina concealed weapons permit
- South Carolina voter registration card with photo
- Federal military ID or other Department of Defense photo IDs and Veterans Affairs benefits card
- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
If a voter arrives at the polling place without an acceptable photo ID, they may cast a provisional ballot. That ballot will be counted only if the voter presents one of the accepted photo IDs to the county elections office before the certification of the election (the Friday after the statewide general election).
Voters who cannot obtain a photo ID may use a non-photo voter registration card to request a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating they have a reasonable impediment to getting photo identification. Examples of reasonable impediments listed by election authorities include a disability or illness, conflicts with work schedule, lack of transportation, not having a birth certificate, family responsibilities, or a religious objection to being photographed. Officials also allow other obstacles that a voter deems reasonable.
Absentee voting and deadlines
Voters who prefer mail-in voting must apply for an absentee ballot by Oct. 23. Absentee ballots must be returned by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, to be counted. Voters who have applied for an absentee ballot should follow up with their county elections office if they have not received their ballot in time to return it by the deadline.
Races and questions on the ballot
The midterm ballot includes a number of statewide offices that will shape policy in South Carolina, including:
- Governor and lieutenant governor
- Secretary of State
- State treasurer
- Attorney general
- Comptroller general
- State superintendent of education
- Commissioner of agriculture
- U.S. Senate and other federal and local contests
Among the high-profile matchups voters will decide is the race for attorney general, where Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson are on the ballot. Voters should check their sample ballot or the scVOTES.gov website for the full list of candidates and any local measures or judicial contests in their precinct.
How to find your polling place and more information
To locate early voting sites, view sample ballots, confirm registration status or get the latest guidance on absentee ballots and ID rules, visit scVOTES.gov or contact your county board of elections. Counties may operate varying numbers of early voting locations and could add hours or sites depending on demand.
Voters with questions about provisional ballots, reasonable impediments, or missing identification should contact their county elections office as soon as possible. Election officials advise planning ahead — know your polling location, bring an accepted photo ID if you have one, and allow extra time during peak early voting days.
