Postponed Elections Rescheduled for July 14
COLUMBIA, SC (May 12, 2020) – Governor McMaster on Friday announced the rescheduling of all elections that had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic (full list below). All affected elections have been rescheduled for July 14, 2020.
List of postponed elections:
Make Sure You Are Registered and Your Information is Current
COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 4, 2020) – To help ensure voters are prepared for the June 9 Statewide Primaries, the State Election Commission wants to remind South Carolinians of the fast-approaching voter registration deadline.
YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY MAY 10* TO VOTE IN THE 2020 STATEWIDE PRIMARIES.
Voters not currently registered to vote in their county of residence must register by the deadline, including citizens who:
Register Online at scVOTES.org
COLUMBIA, SC (April 27, 2020) - Governor McMaster today announced the postponement of elections scheduled for May 5 and May 12 (full list below). Affected elections will be rescheduled. Specific dates will be announced later.
List of postponed May elections:
Qualifying Voters Urged to Vote Absentee
COLUMBIA, SC (April 27, 2020) – The June 9 Statewide Primaries and June 23 Runoffs are set to proceed as scheduled. The SEC has no authority to delay the primaries or deviate from current law in conducting elections. Voting options remain unchanged. Voters should prepare now to exercise their right to vote by choosing the best option for them.
Vote Absentee
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.
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
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:
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:
If you have a mail-in absentee ballot and have not returned it yet:
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?
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:
Voters should prepare for election day by checking to make sure their registration is current. Visit scVOTES.org and click “Check My Registration.”
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
Anderson County
City of Belton, City Council Ward 4
Berkeley County
City of Charleston, Mayor
Town of Moncks Corner, Town Council (Unexpired Term)
Charleston County
City of Charleston, Mayor
City of Charleston, City Council District 3
Darlington County
City of Darlington, City Council
Greenville County
City of Fountain Inn, Mayor
City of Fountain Inn, City Council Ward 2
City of Mauldin, Mayor
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.”