COLUMBIA, SC (March 19, 2020) – As March candidate filing continues, the SEC is asking candidates to file as soon as possible and to make an appointment before filing to help avoid crowding in the final days of the period. While the day-to-day impact of the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is uncertain, the SEC continues working with county boards to help ensure the process continues without interruption as directed by the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-09.
News
March & April Elections Postponed Due to Coronavirus
COLUMBIA, SC (March 15, 2020) – Governor McMaster today announced the postponement of all March and April elections (full list below). Affected elections will be rescheduled to occur after May 1, 2020. Specific dates will be announced later.
This announcement has NO impact on the March Candidate filing period. Candidate filing will open at noon on March 16, 2020 and will close at noon on March 30, 2020. Click here to read the SEC’s Statement on March Filing and Coronavirus.
List of postponed March and April elections:
March 19
Florence County School District 2 General Election
March 24
Greater Gaffney Fire District Referendum (Cherokee County)
Saluda County Council Chair Special Election
Statement on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COLUMBIA, SC (March 15, 2020) – The S.C. State Election Commission (SEC) is monitoring developments related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and working with the Governor’s office to take actions necessary to help ensure the health and safety of the public and to provide for continuity of operations. The SEC is also working with county boards of voter registration and elections to ensure critical services continue to be offered to the public including voter registration, absentee voting and candidate filing.
Actions include:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
See our video on safety at the polls
COVID-19 FAQs
- What are election officials doing to protect voters at polling places and in-person absentee voting sites?
- I am concerned about voting at my polling place in the pandemic. What are my options?
- I do not have an illness, but I am self-isolating due to the pandemic. Does this qualify me to vote absentee?
- I voted absentee in the 2020 General Election using the "Statewide Emergency" reason.
Statement on Coronavirus and March Candidate Filing
COLUMBIA, SC (March 15, 2020) - The S.C. State Election Commission (SEC) is monitoring developments related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and working with the Governor's office to take actions necessary to ensure the health and safety of candidates and election officials during the 2020 March Filing Period.
Candidate filing will open at noon on March 16, 2020 and will close at noon on March 30, 2020. All partisan candidates seeking office in the November 3, 2020 General Election must file during this period.
The SEC is taking actions to provide for continuity of operations and to protect the health and safety of candidates and election officials at the state office as well as directing county boards to do the same. These actions include:
Securing South Carolina Elections
The mission of the S.C. State Election Commission (SEC) is to ensure every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register to vote, participate in fair and impartial elections, and have the assurance that their votes will count. Fundamental to this mission is ensuring the security and integrity of elections in South Carolina.
Time Running Out to Vote Absentee in 2020 Presidential Primary
COLUMBIA, SC (February 24, 2020) – The State Election Commission wants voters to be aware of upcoming deadlines for voting absentee in the Democratic Presidential Preference Primary.
If you still need to vote absentee:
- Go to your county voter registration and elections office, complete an application, and vote absentee in person.
- In-Person absentee voting ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28.
If you have a mail-in absentee ballot and have not returned it yet:
2020 Presidential Preference Primary FAQs
Q. What is a Presidential Preference Primary (PPP)?
A. A PPP, commonly referred to simply as a “Presidential Primary,” is a publicly held election in which voters vote for their choice to be a political party’s nominee for President in the general election. State political parties use the results of the PPP to assign state delegates to the national party convention. At the national convention, delegates from all participating states choose the party’s nominee. The party’s nominee goes on the General Election ballot in November. For more on a specific party’s nominating process, contact the appropriate political party.
Q. Do I have to be a registered member of a party to participate in a Presidential Primary?
A. No, S.C. does not have registration by party. The Presidential Primaries are open to all registered S.C. voters.
Q. Why is there no Republican Presidential Primary?
2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Results
2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Results
Get statewide, county and precinct results for each candidate
Results by Congressional District
Get statewide, county and precinct results broken down by congressional district.
January 30 is Voter Registration Deadline for Democratic Presidential Primary
Make Sure You Are Registered and Your Information is Current
COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 24, 2020) – To help ensure voters are prepared for the February 29 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary, the State Election Commission wants to remind South Carolinians of the fast-approaching voter registration deadline.
YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
TO VOTE IN THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY.
Voters not currently registered to vote in their county of residence must register by the deadline, including citizens who:
- Will be 18 years old on or before November 3, 2020 and have not registered.
- Moved to a new county but did not register in the new county.
- Moved from another state but did not register in South Carolina.
Voters should prepare for election day by checking to make sure their registration is current. Visit scVOTES.org and click “Check My Registration.”
2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Candidates
The following candidates were certified for the February 29, 2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary:
Michael Bennet - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot
Joseph R. Biden
Cory Booker - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot
Pete Buttigieg
Julian Castro - Withdrew, name will NOT appear on ballot
John K. Delaney - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot
Tulsi Gabbard
Amy Klobuchar
Deval Patrick - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot
Bernie Sanders
Tom Steyer
Elizabeth Warren
Marianne Williamson - Withdrew, name will NOT appear on ballot
Andrew Yang - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot
Municipal Runoffs - November 19, 2019
Anderson County
City of Belton, City Council Ward 4
- Josh Stephenson
- Kimberley Stevens
Berkeley County
City of Charleston, Mayor
- Mike Seekings
- John Tecklenburg
Town of Moncks Corner, Town Council (Unexpired Term)
- Johna Bilton
- DeWayne Kitts
Charleston County
City of Charleston, Mayor
- Mike Seekings
- John Tecklenburg
City of Charleston, City Council District 3
- James Lewis Jr
- Jason Sakran
Darlington County
City of Darlington, City Council
- Ernest L Boston Sr
- Howard J Nettles
Greenville County
City of Fountain Inn, Mayor
- Sam Lee
- G P McLear
City of Fountain Inn, City Council Ward 2
- Mike Maier
- Jay Thomason
City of Mauldin, Mayor
Voters Find Easy Transition to New Paper-Based Voting System
The November 5 elections were the first widespread use of the new voting system
COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 6, 2019) – Yesterday, thousands of voters in the more than 180 local elections in 40 counties cast their ballots on South Carolina’s new paper-based voting system. This was the first widespread use of the new system, and the S.C. State Election Commission is pleased to report the transition was a success.
“Election officials across the state have worked tirelessly over the past four months implementing the new system, attending training and making preparations,” said Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission. “Yesterday’s successful election is a testament to their hard work. This was a tremendous opportunity for both voters and election officials to make sure we’re ready for the first statewide elections on the new system in 2020.”
State House of Representatives District 84 Special Election
October 1, 2019 - Aiken County
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS - Click for results page. Results will be posted after 7:00 p.m. on October 1.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Filing Opens: Noon, Friday, June 7
Filing Closes: Noon, Saturday, June 15
Click Here for Candidate Tracking - Get candidate names and information (available after filing opens).
June 30 - Voter Registration Deadline for Primary
July 30 - Primary
August 13 - Primary Runoff
September 1 - Voter Registration Deadline for Special Election
October 1 - Special Election
Candidate Filing Information
National Voter Registration Day is September 24
COLUMBIA, SC (September 23, 2019) – The South Carolina State Election Commission, along with Americans across the nation, will be celebrating National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. This is a nationwide effort to register voters before upcoming elections in November.
The State Election Commission encourages all South Carolinians to exercise their right to vote in all elections, including the more than 180 local elections being held throughout the state on November 5. The first step to doing that is registering to vote. But it’s not only November; there’s an election happening nearly every Tuesday somewhere in the state. Click here for a complete list of upcoming elections.
YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY THE DEADLINE TO VOTE IN A NOVEMBER 5 ELECTION.
Registering to vote has never been easier: