Presidential Primary Absentee Voting Deadlines Near

Posted on January 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 3, 2008) - Absentee voting is currently underway for the January Presidential Primaries.

Persons qualified to vote an absentee ballot in the Presidential Primaries:

Persons who will be outside their county of residence on Election Day
Members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine, and their spouses and dependents residing with them
Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on election day
Physically disabled persons
Persons sixty-five years of age or older
Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day
Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election or within a four-day period before the election
Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election
Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials working on Election Day
Persons who, for religious reasons, do not wish to take part in the electoral process on a Saturday

How to vote an absentee ballot:

In Person - Visit your county voter registration office, complete an application, and cast your ballot. You may vote absentee in person up until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the primary. The deadline for the Republican Presidential Primary is 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 18. The deadline for the Democratic Presidential Primary is 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 25.

By Mail - Step 1: Contact your county voter registration office to request an absentee ballot application. Voters (or their immediate family members) may make the request in person or by phone, mail, e-mail, or fax. An authorized representative may also make the request, but only in person or by mail. An authorized representative is a registered voter who, with a voter's permission, can request an absentee ballot application on behalf of a voter who qualifies because of illness or disability. Candidates and paid campaign workers, who are not family, may not serve as authorized representatives.

Step 2: Return the application to your county voter registration office by 5:00 p.m., four days prior to the corresponding primary. The deadline for the Republican Primary is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15. The deadline for the Democratic Primary is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22.

Step 3: You will be mailed an absentee ballot. Vote the ballot following ballot instructions and return it to your county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the corresponding primary. Ballot may be mailed or hand-delivered. If hand delivered by someone other than the voter or post office, that person must complete an authorization form. Candidates and paid campaign workers, who are not family, may not hand deliver absentee ballots.

As a reminder, South Carolina does not have registration by party. Registered voters may vote in either party's primary, but NOT both.

More information on absentee voting.

Check your absentee ballot status.

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