Vote Absentee by Mail

Legislation was signed into law on September 16, 2020, that makes significant changes to absentee voting rules for the November 3, 2020 General Election.

• All voters are now qualified to vote absentee under the “State of Emergency” reason.
• Applications must be received by the voter registration office by 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24.

Witness Signature (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

There’s been a lot of confusion about the state’s requirement to have a witness signature on your absentee ballot. Courts have issued rulings back and forth in both directions in the past week and it’s changing daily.  SC Equality is concerned that people may be confused by the “on again off again” signature requirement rulings. You should go ahead and obtain a witness signature for the absentee by mail ballot just in case and not knowing how this court case is going to turn out we would not want your vote to be invalid.

Step 1:  Get your application.

     Get the application online. You must be able to print your application.

OR

     Call or email your county voter registration office.  You will be mailed an application.

Step 2:  Complete, sign and return the application to your county voter registration office as soon as possible by email, mail, fax, or personal delivery.

• Return your application at least two weeks before election day to provide time for receiving and returning your ballot by mail.
• The deadline to return your application is 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day prior to the election.  WARNING:  Applying late puts your ballot at risk of not being returned by the deadline.

Step 3:  Receive your absentee ballot in the mail. Voters who have applied early will be mailed their absentee ballot approximately 30 days before the election.

Step 4:  Vote and return the ballot to your county voter registration office either by mail or personal delivery.  Place the ballot in the “ballot here-in” envelope and place the “ballot here-in” envelope in the return envelope.  Be sure to sign the voter’s oath and have your signature witnessed.  Anyone can witness your signature.  A notary is not necessary.

• Ballots must be received by the county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on election day.
• Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to election day to help ensure timely delivery.

Vote Early Absentee In-Person?

All voters are now qualified to vote absentee (by mail or in-person) under the “State of Emergency” reason.

Step 1: Visit your county voter registration office or extension office. 

Step 2: Complete an application.

Step 3. Cast your ballot. 

You may vote absentee in-person up until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.  Rules for photo ID required to vote at the polling place apply.

Additional in-person absentee locations are available in some counties for some elections.

Vote In-Person on Election Day?

Photo ID

When voting in person, you will be asked to show one of the following Photo IDs at your polling place:

• SC Driver’s License
• SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
• SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
• US Passport

Click here to learn more about photo ID required at the polling place.

Where to Vote

Find Your Precinct

Download a List of Polling Places & Addresses

When to Vote

Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.