Key Deadlines and Hours
Polling places across South Carolina are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone standing in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot.
- Check Your Voter Registration Status before leaving home to ensure your records are active.
- Find Your Polling Location to confirm your exact precinct and address.
- View Your Personal Sample Ballot to review candidates and local nonpartisan contests ahead of time.
Accepted Photo IDs
When voting in person, South Carolina law requires you to present one of the following current and valid photo IDs:
- S.C. Driver's License (standard or REAL ID)
- S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card (standard, REAL ID, or Concealed Weapons Permit)
- S.C. Voter Registration Card with Photo
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- Federal Military ID (including Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Cards)
Transportation & Rides to the Polls
To help voters reach their precinct, local transit providers and community groups offer free or discounted transportation on Election Day:
- Central Midlands Transit (The COMET): Offering free round-trip fare on all fixed-route buses and DART mobility services across Richland and Lexington counties. Riders can plan routes at catchthecometsc.gov. DART rides for seniors and voters with disabilities can be scheduled in advance by calling 803-255-7123.
- Rideshare Discounts: National rideshare providers often offer promotional codes or reduced fares on Election Day. Check your app for local availability.
- Nonprofit & Community Rides: Local civil rights organizations and political party chapters frequently organize volunteer rides. Contact your local county party office or nonpartisan civic organization for assistance.
- Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) & TriCounty Link: Will provide free rides to and from polling locations on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voting Rules at the Touchscreen
When you step up to the voting machine or optical scan ballot, keep these rules in mind:
Straight-Party Voting
Voting "Straight Party" is optional. Selecting a political party automatically selects all candidates nominated by that party throughout your ballot.
- Crossover Voting: You can override any individual selection by manually touching or marking another candidate of your choice for that specific office.
- Uncovered Contests: Straight-party voting does not make selections for nonpartisan races, local ballot questions, or offices where your chosen party has no nominee. Be sure to scroll through the full ballot to complete these contests.
Write-In Candidates
Write-in votes are allowed for all offices except President/Vice President and political party primary elections. Touch the "write-in" space on screen to pull up a digital keyboard, or hand-write the candidate's name on a paper ballot and darken the corresponding oval.
Failsafe Voting
If you moved but failed to update your address on voter rolls before the election deadline, you may still be eligible to cast a ballot under Failsafe Voting:
- Moved within the same precinct: Complete a change of address form at your precinct and vote a full ballot.
- Moved to a new precinct in the same county: Either vote a limited ballot (federal, statewide, and countywide offices only) at your old polling place or go to your county voter registration office to update your address and vote a full ballot.
- Moved to another S.C. county within 30 days of the election: Vote a limited ballot at your previous county's polling place or go to the voter registration office in your new county to update your address and vote a full ballot.
- Municipal Elections: Voters must reside within municipal limits for at least 30 days prior to the election to qualify for failsafe options.
Accessibility & Accommodations
South Carolina provides options to ensure every voter can participate independently:
- Curbside Voting: Available at every polling location for voters who are unable to enter the voting area due to physical disability or age (65+).
- Accessible Equipment: Touchscreen machines feature audio ballots, tactile keypads, and adjustable screen contrast/text size.
- Assistance: Voters who require physical or visual assistance may receive help from a person of their choice (excluding an employer or union agent).
Learn more about accessible voting options by reviewing the SC Votes Disability Resource Page.