COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- Time is running out for South Carolinians to register to vote if they want to participate in the upcoming statewide primaries.
The Democratic and Republican parties in South Carolina will hold their primary elections on June 11, 2024.
“This period is also a prime time for voters to educate themselves on the candidates and issues so they can be ready to make their voices heard when it’s time to cast their ballot,” a news release from the State Election Commission stated.
Here’s what you need to know about getting ready to vote:
Who is eligible to vote?
An individual must meet the following qualifications in order to vote in South Carolina:
- U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of South Carolina, the county, and precinct in which you are registering
- Not deemed mentally incompetent by the court or currently incarcerated
Teenagers who turn 18 on or before the general election (Nov. 5, 2024) can register to vote and participate in one party’s primaries in June.
How to register to vote in South Carolina
There are 3 ways to register to vote in South Carolina:
- Register online at scvotes.gov
- Download a voter registration form. Complete and return the form to your county voter registration office by mail, fax, or email.
- Register in person at your county voter registration office or while receiving services at the DMV or other state agencies.
If you moved to a different county since the most recent election, you must re-register to vote in the new county. If you have moved to a new location within the same county, you can update your address using this form on scvotes.gov.
When is the voter registration deadline?
State law requires an individual to register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.
Here are the deadlines for registration:
- In-person: May 10
- Online or by fax or email: May 12 at 11:59 p.m.
- By mail: May 13 (must be postmarked by this date)
When is early voting?
Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill into law in May 2022 that replaces in-person absentee voting with an early in-person voting period for the two weeks leading up to election days.
Any voter can visit an early-voting polling location in their county between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and vote the same way they would on Election Day. Counties are required to have at least one polling place open during the early voting period.
Early voting for the primaries will start on Tuesday, May 28, and end on Friday, June 7.
How can I request an absentee ballot?
Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot from their county election office starting Jan. 1 of the election year.
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the 2024 primaries is May 31 at 5 p.m.
All absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
You can find more information on eligibility requirements and how to return your absentee ballot here.
Which presidential primary can you participate in?
South Carolina does not require voters to register by political party and holds open primaries. This means that voters may choose to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both.
As Election Day nears, you can count on News 2 as your Local Election Headquarters to keep you up-to-date on the latest from the campaign trail.
