South Carolina Breaks Gubernatorial Election Voter Turnout Records

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 3, 2026) - South Carolina has broken two gubernatorial election voter turnout records, surpassing the highest levels of participation recorded over the past 30 years for both the total number of votes cast and the percentage of registered voters participating.

As of 6 p.m., 1,927,488 South Carolinians have cast ballots, representing 56% of registered voters. This surpasses the previous record for percentage turnout in a gubernatorial election, set in 2002 at 54.6%.

The state has also surpassed the previous record for total votes cast in a gubernatorial election, set in 2018 when 1,726,527 voters participated.

For comparison, the highest voter turnout in a presidential election over the past 30 years was 76% in 2008.

With polls remaining open until 7 p.m., both records could continue to climb before voting concludes.

If you haven’t voted yet, there’s still time! Polls are open until 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Voters can find their polling place at scVOTES.gov.

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