South Carolinians who would like to vote in the state's June 9 primary election have until Monday to submit some type of voter registration form for eligibility.
The election will let people narrow down options in races like that for the governor's office or U.S. Senate.
Multiple ways to register exist for potential voters:
- In-person registration is available at county voter registration offices until offices close Friday, May 8. Offices typically close at 5 p.m.
- Online registration will remain open until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 10.
- Downloaded registration forms must be faxed or emailed to county voter registration offices by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 10. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Monday, May 11.
About 3.38 million people are registered to vote in the state. And about 55,000 people registered to vote within the first three months of the year, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
People who register in-person or by mail will need a current, valid photo ID. If one does not have a valid ID, a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document will be allowed as identification, but it must show a person's name and in-county address.
South Carolina does not make voters commit to a political party at registration, but primary elections in the state are open. On the day of the primary election, poll managers will ask voters, “In which party’s primary do you wish to vote today?”
Voters are limited to participating in one political party's primary election.
A candidate must receive a majority of votes cast for an office to win the primary. If no candidate manages to will a majority of voters, then a runoff election between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes will be held two weeks after the initial primary date.
State Election Commission Executive Director Conway Belangia told This Week in South Carolina that a highly efficient primary election is a top priority.
"The first order of business for me and the staff at the State Election Commission is to make sure that the June primary is conducted at the highest efficiency that we can muster," Belangia said.
He also called on South Carolinians to volunteer as poll workers to help meet demand.
A proposal known as H. 5684 that would move congressional primary elections to Aug. 11 will be in its first House Judiciary Committee hearing Friday. A redrawn congressional map is under consideration, too. And a separate proposal sponsored by Spartanburg Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell, who is running for governor, would aim to move all primaries to a later date. For now, those changes remain simply as proposals under debate.
The primary election is June 9. Early voting will begin May 26 and run until June 5.
