Does the recent SC Constitutional Carry law let people bring guns to the polls on Election Day?
The wait has at times felt like an eternity, but it’s almost over — Election Day 2024 is nearly here.
Voters across South Carolina will gather at their designated polling places on Nov. 5 to vote in the general election. Now, those polling places have long had rules and restrictions on what people can and cannot do there, as a way to protect people’s privacy and their right to vote. However, laws and rules can change.
For instance, Gov. Henry McMaster signed ‘Constitutional Carry’ into law in March. Under the law, anyone who is legally able to carry a firearm can do so in public without a concealed weapons permit or training.
With such loosening of gun laws, does that mean the voter next to you at the polls can have a gun on their person if they want?
Firearms at SC polls
The short answer is: nope.
While ‘Constitutional Carry’ does further weaken gun law in the state, there are still restrictions. Under the law, concealed weapons are still prohibited from polling places on election days. Furthermore, a property owner, holder of a lease interest, or operator of a business can prohibit people from entering with a firearm by posting a “no concealable weapons allowed” sign.
What else is prohibited at SC polling places?
Here are other restrictions at polling places in the state, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
Candidates campaigning at polls
Candidates can technically campaign close to polling places on election days, but there are restrictions.
Candidates cannot campaign inside a polling place. They are allowed inside and can talk to voters as long as they are not campaigning, intimidating or trying to interfere with the election process.
If candidates do want to campaign, they must be at least 500 feet from the entrance to a polling place. Also, no campaign literature, signs or posters are allowed.
Taking a selfie at the polls
You may want to snap a quick selfie to commemorate you voting during a historic election, but you should forget about it. South Carolina law forbids people from taking photos inside a voting booth or showing their ballot to someone else.
Using your smartphone at the polls
In general, the use of a wireless communications device or camera is prohibited inside a polling place.
Wearing political attire at the polls
People running for office aren’t the only ones prohibited from having campaign material in a polling place. Whether it’s t-shirts, hats, buttons, posters or pamphlets — all campaign material is prohibited within 500 feet of the entrance of a polling place.
What is allowed in SC polling places?
Here are some things you may think are prohibited in polling places, but are actually allowed.
Bringing children to vote
South Carolina voters can bring children under 18 years old into a voting booth.
Getting help to complete a ballot
Voters with disabilities or who are blind or unable to read and write can ask for assistance in voting. If you need help, you must first inform a poll manager. You can then choose anyone to assist in casting your ballot, as long as it isn’t your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union. Poll managers also have printed instructions available for voters who are deaf or have hearing issues.
Curbside voting is an option for voters who are unable to access polling places or stand in line due to a disability or being 65 years old or older.
