SC primary early voting begins amid redistricting push. Here’s what to know
South Carolina voters can have their say in who will be their next governor, attorney general, U.S. Senator or state House representative beginning Tuesday when the early polls open.
The primary election is June 9, but registered voters can cast their ballots in-person two weeks early. Voters can choose a Republican or Democratic ballot for statewide races.
Winners of primary elections will compete in the November general election.
Here’s more about what South Carolinians should bring to the polls, where they can vote early and how redistricting efforts could impact U.S. House elections.
Does South Carolina allow early voting?
South Carolina residents can vote in-person two weeks before election day. Early voting in South Carolina became law in 2022.
“Early voting provides voters with additional options,” Election Commission executive director Conway Belangia said in a statement. “Whether voting before going on vacation or avoiding lines at their polling location, voters have flexibility in how they cast their ballot.
Any registered voter can vote early in their county. While only qualified individuals can vote absentee, anyone can go to the polls early.
When can you vote early in SC?
Early voting begins Tuesday, May 26, and runs through Friday, June 5. Voting centers are open 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Polls are closed on weekends and state holidays.
Where can you vote?
South Carolinians can vote at any designated location in their county.
Here are the Richland County voting locations:
- County voter registration office: 300 Columbia Mall Boulevard Suite 210, Columbia
- Brookland Baptist Church NE: 1203 Summit Parkway, Columbia
- USC Blatt PE Building: 1400 Wheat St., Columbia
- Columbia College’s Vandiver Commons: 4801 Colonial Dr, Columbia
- Ballentine Community Center: 1009 Bickley Road, Irmo
- Garners Ferry AAC: 8620 Garners Ferry Rd Hopkins
Here are voting locations in Lexington County:
- County voter registration office: 605 West Main Street, Suite C, Lexington
- Midlands Technical College (Irmo): 7300 College Street, Irmo
- West Columbia Community Center: 754 B Ave. West Columbia
- Midland Tech College (Batesburg-Leesville): 423 College St., Batesburg-Leesville
- Gaston Town Hall: 131 North Carlisle St., Gaston
- Chapin Town Hall: 157 North West Columbia Court, Chapin
Other counties’ voting locations are listed on the state Election Commission’s website.
What should you bring to polls?
South Carolina voters need a photo ID to vote. Valid forms of identification include:
- South Carolina driver’s license
- SC DMV ID card
- SC voter registration card with a photo
- Federal military ID
- U.S. passport
Voters can also cast a provisional ballot without a photo ID, but they must show valid identification to the county election’s office before results are certified.
Which SC offices are up for election?
Statewide, state House, congressional and local races will appear on South Carolina primary ballots this year.
The South Carolina governor’s race is wide open without an incumbent this year. Voters can choose between six Republican gubernatorial candidates or three Democratic candidates.
One of South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seats, currently held by Lindsey Graham, is up for election.
Other statewide competitive primary elections include the attorney general, state superintendent, commissioner of agriculture, comptroller general and treasurer.
Every member of the state House is also up for election.
Registered voters can review their sample ballot on the SC Election Commission’s website.
Will votes for U.S. House be counted?
A last-minute push to redraw South Carolina’s congressional districts has complicated the primary elections. President Donald Trump and the White House asked Republican leaders in the South Carolina General Assembly to redraw congressional districts earlier this month.
As of now, all U.S. House elections will occur June 9. But if a new congressional map passes the General Assembly, an additional primary will be held Aug. 18 for all seven House seats. The bill creating new congressional districts and scheduling an additional statewide primary could receive a final vote this week in the state Senate.
U.S. House candidates will appear on every absentee, early or election day ballot. However, the results of those elections may not be certified if a new congressional map is signed by the governor and upheld in court. The results of the congressional elections will also not be reported out, in that scenario, state elections’ director Belangia said during a commission meeting Wednesday.
“They will be cast but not counted moving forward, if this legislation passes,” Belangia said Wednesday.
Regardless of a new map, all other primary elections will occur as scheduled, under the current proposal.