2020 General Election FAQs

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• I am concerned about voting at my polling place in the pandemic.  What are my options?
• Can anyone vote absentee in the 2020 General Election? 
• How do I vote absentee?
• I still have my absentee by mail ballot.  What do I do?
• Do I have to have my signature witnessed on my by-mail absentee ballot? Who can be a witness? 
• There is not enough time for me to comfortably return my absentee ballot by mail. What do I do?
• Can I return my absentee ballot to my polling place on Election Day?
• How can I check to see if my absentee application or ballot has been received?
• What are election officials doing to protect voters at polling places and in-person absentee voting sites?
• It is close to election day and I have been diagnosed with COVID-19. What should I do to vote?
• What hours will the polls be open?
• Where do I vote?  Will my polling place be open?
• What do I take with me to the polls to vote?
• What if I don’t have one of these Photo IDs?
• What happens if I have a Photo ID but forget to bring it to my polling place?
• I’ve lost my Photo ID.  Can I still vote?
• I’ve lost my non-photo voter registration card.  Can I still vote?
• I’ve moved since the last election and haven’t updated my voter registration card.  Can I still vote?
• I moved to South Carolina after the October 4 voter registration deadline.  Can I vote?
• What candidates and/or offices are on the ballot today? How can I get a sample ballot?
• How can I volunteer to be a poll manager?
• How is the ballot order determined for candidates and political parties?
• I'm voting in person and I don't think my ballot is correct. What do I do?
• How does straight party voting work?
• Is there a write-in option for President and Vice President?
• What is South Carolina’s new voting system and how does it work?
• What are the benefits of a ballot-marking device?
• Are South Carolina’s elections secure?  How can I trust that my vote will count?
• When and where will results be reported?
• When is a recount necessary?
• I saw a candidate/member of candidate’s campaign at my polling place talking to voters.  Can he do that?
• A candidate is definitely campaigning while in the polling place, or there is campaign material within 200 feet of the entrance.  What can I do?
• Can candidates or their representatives take people to the polls to vote?
• Are there any laws about candidates posting their signs along the roadway?
• When I left the polls, I was asked to participate in an "exit poll." Is this legal?
• Do employers have to give you time off to vote?
• Can I take my child with me to vote?
• Are “ballot selfies” legal?  Can I take a picture of my ballot and share it with others?
• Can alcoholic beverages be sold on Election Day?
• Can lottery tickets be sold on Election Day?
• Where can I report an issue or file a complaint about the election?
• I can’t find an answer to my question, are there other resources?

 

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