COLUMBIA, S.C. — Midterm Election Day is almost here! Voters across the state will make decisions for many key races, including for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and even two proposed state constitutional amendments. And there are also plenty of local races for school board, county council, and local ballot referendums.
South Carolina residents registered to vote may do so on election day -- Tuesday, November 8.
WLTX has compiled a guide of frequently asked questions, using information available from the South Carolina Election Commission's website scvotes.gov.
When can I vote?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. You can vote on that day, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at your local precinct listed on your Voter ID card. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Early voting in person has now ended - Unfortunately that option came to an end on Saturday. But you still can vote in person Tuesday for Election Day itself.
How do I check my South Carolina voter registration? Where do I vote?
Make sure your voter registration is up-to-date online at info.scvotes.gov where you can check your personal information, the location of your voting precinct, and which voting districts you are in.
How can I view my sample ballot?
After entering your information at info.scvotes.gov, you can click on the button at the bottom of the window and view the sample ballot you will use when you cast your vote.
Your ballot is tailored to your specific information and location and therefore may differ from your friends' or family member's sample ballot if they live in a different area of South Carolina. All statewide offices -- governor, attorney general, etc. -- will be the same on all ballots, but county council or local commission seats will vary on the ballot.
How do I vote?
When voting in person, either voting early or on Election Day, you will be asked to show one of the following photo IDs at your polling place:
- SC Driver's License
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card (includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit)
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID (includes all Department of Defense photo IDs and the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits card)
- US Passport
Polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day, November 8, and close at 7 p.m. If you are in line to vote at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Richland County Voters Registration and Elections Office wants to remind voters Friday, October 28, is the last day to request absentee ballot applications in order to receive mail-in absentee ballots statewide. You may request them by calling your local Voters Registration and Elections Office or visiting the office in person (in Richland County, that's at 2020 Hampton St., (803) 576-2240). When you receive your absentee ballot, please return it by 7 p.m. November 8, or drop it off at your early voting site.
What is failsafe voting?
Failsafe voting allows voters who have moved -- but failed to update their address -- to update their address on election day and vote. The process is available to voters in the following situations:
- Voter moves from one address to another within the same precinct -- complete a change of address form at the precinct and vote a full ballot
- Voter moves from one precinct to another within the same county -- EITHER go to your previous polling place and vote a limited, failsafe ballot containing federal, statewide and countywide offices and record your updated address OR go to your county voter registration office, complete a change of address form and vote a full ballot
- Voter moves from one South Carolina county to another within 30 days of an election -- EITHER go to your polling place in your previous county and vote a limited, failsafe ballot containing federal, statewide and countywide offices and record your updated address OR go to your current county voter registration office, complete a change of address form and vote a full ballot
Failsafe voting applies to municipal elections, with one exception -- the voter must have resided within the municipality for 30 days or more prior to the election to be eligible to vote.
Can I write in a vote?
Yes. There is room on the ballot for write-in votes.
On a touch-screen ballot, a candidate's name can be written in by touching the "write-in" space under the appropriate office. A keyboard should pop up and you can enter the candidate
On a paper ballot, write in the candidate's name under the appropriate office using either a pen or pencil and then darken the oval next to the write-in line on the ballot. Stickers, stamps or decals with the candidate's name are not permitted.
