Have you registered to vote in South Carolina? The deadlines are fast approaching
For unregistered South Carolinians who intend to vote in November’s election, Friday is the last day to register to vote in person for the general election.
While the deadline for in-person voter registration is 5 p.m. Friday, those who miss that deadline may still register to vote online until Sunday at 11:59 p.m., or by mail, if postmarked no later than Monday.
In-person registration may be completed at county boards of voter registration or at various state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. Those who wish to register online or by mail must download, complete and return a voter registration form to their county voter board of registration via mail, fax or email by the appropriate deadlines.
If you are registering online or by mail for the first time in a given county, you must attach a current valid photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that displays your name and address in that county.
As a result of legislation passed and signed by the governor last month, all registered voters, without exception, are permitted to vote absentee in this year’s November general election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voters who wish to cast absentee ballots must complete and return applications to do so by the appropriate deadline. Absentee ballot applications must be received by county voter offices by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, if sent by mail, email or fax, or by 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, if submitted in person.
Absentee voting begins Monday.
For those voting absentee in person, the deadline to cast your ballot is Nov. 2 by 5 p.m. Absentee-by-mail ballots must be received at county offices by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, except for those submitted by members of the military and overseas citizens, whose absentee-by-mail ballots must be mailed by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, but can be received until 5 p.m. on Nov. 5.
For at least the time being, following a federal appeals court ruling last week, absentee voters are not required to obtain the signature of a witness on the envelope they use to send in their ballot.
However, because litigation involving the witness signature is still unfolding and the appeals court decision may yet be reversed, South Carolina election officials are recommending that voters get a witness to sign their absentee ballot envelopes.
To be eligible to vote in South Carolina, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old and residents of the county and precinct in which they are registering. Individuals who have been deemed mentally incompetent by court order or who are presently imprisoned for criminal offenses are not eligible to vote.
Anyone who has been convicted of a felony or an offense against election laws is ineligible to vote unless and until they’ve served their entire sentence, including completion of any jail/prison time, probation and parole, or been pardoned.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM.