COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina votes in statewide primaries on Tuesday, June 9.
Here's what you need to know.
Polling locations are open until 7 p.m.
Bring your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).
Many polling locations have been combined for this election due to COVID-19's impact on election workers so be sure to check on your polling location with your local election commission or online here.
Because of the coronavirus, the voting process this year will be different, as the South Carolina State Election Commission has implemented changes to help protect the health of both voters and poll workers.
Election officials have taken steps to protect the health of voters and poll managers:
- Poll managers have received special COVID-19 training and supplies to apply social distancing and clean common surfaces in the polling place.
- Managers will wear masks, face shields and gloves.
- Sneeze guards will be placed at check-in stations.
- Hand sanitizer will be available for voters and poll managers.
- You will be provided a cotton swab for making selections on the touchscreen.
Likewise, you are encouraged to:
- Wear a face mask if you have one, although masks are NOT required.
- Bring your own pen for signing the poll list.
- Practice social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others.
- Show your Photo ID by holding it up for poll managers instead of handing it to them.
- Be patient and understanding with poll managers on election day. They are being asked to do a lot to facilitate voting under the current conditions.
Before heading out, voters are encouraged to check their registration information online at scvotes.org. At that site, voters can double-check their polling location as some sites have been condensed due to COVID-19 health concerns, and check out sample ballots.
Real-time election results will be posted on WLTX's election page. Go ahead and bookmark this link now!
Absentee Voting:
For your ballot to count, it must be received by the voter registration office no later than 7:00 p.m. on June 9.
If you haven't already returned your absentee ballot, you'll want to personally delivering your ballot to your county voter registration office on Tuesday or have an authorized returnee return your ballot for you (must complete authorized returnee form).
You can NOT return your absentee ballot to your polling place.
You can NOT vote at your polling place without returning your unvoted ballot to your voter registration office and receiving a letter authorizing you to vote at the polls.
Voting Machines:
After signing in, a poll worker will hand the voter a blank ballot card and direct them to a touch-screen voting machine where they'll select their candidates and cast their ballot using the new two-part verification system.
Voters will insert their blank ballot cards into the voting machine and print it out once they've chosen their candidates.
That ballot card will hold a record of their choices and, after it's printed, they will place it into an electronic scanner so their votes can be counted.
It's an extra step from previous years, but one that will create an additional layer of security by counting votes both electronically and on paper.
