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South Carolina elections in 2026

This page lists South Carolina statewide election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee and early voting timelines, poll hours, and official election resources.

At a glance​

Register to vote in South Carolina​

Start with the official South Carolina voter registration page. The section below highlights registration methods and the deadlines tied to the next statewide election on this page.

South Carolina voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Upcoming registration deadlines​

  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S. C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11

Online​

Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S. C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day

Eligibility or requirements

  • Must meet state voter registration eligibility requirements.

Deadlines

By Mail​

Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day

Deadlines

In Person​

Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day

Deadlines

Special registration options​

Military Overseas: Available

Submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This will both register you to vote (if not already registered) and designate you as a UOCAVA voter. The Electronic Voting Accessibility Tool (see above) will guide you through the process of completing and submitting your FPCA online. You can also get an FPCA from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (FVAP. gov) and return it to your county elections office by mail, fax or email. If you're using the FPCA to register to vote, it must be submitted by the voter registration deadline to participate in any particular election. Click here for additional information

Additional registration notes​

Other Registration Option

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

Registration Status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Absentee and early voting in South Carolina​

These absentee and early voting deadlines are tied to the next statewide election listed on this page. Local procedures can vary, so confirm final details with your local election office.

  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 26, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting begins Monday, 15 days prior to election day. The early voting period for the Statewide Primaries starts on Tuesday, May 26 and ends Friday, June 5. (Closed weekends and statewide holidays. ) Early voting centers are open 8: 30 a. m. - 5: 00 p. m. during the early voting period.
  • May 29, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: The deadline to return the application is 5: 00 p. m. on Friday, May 29.
  • June 5, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Friday before an election.

Voter ID requirements in South Carolina​

Review the current voter ID rules before you vote: South Carolina voter ID requirements.

South Carolina election dates for 2026​

Primary Election — June 9, 2026​

State and Federal primaries are held on the second Tuesday in June of each general election year to select the nominees of the major political parties for partisan offices. RI ST § 17-15-1

Important dates​

  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 10, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S. C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is May 10, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - May 11
  • May 26, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting begins Monday, 15 days prior to election day. The early voting period for the Statewide Primaries starts on Tuesday, May 26 and ends Friday, June 5. (Closed weekends and statewide holidays. ) Early voting centers are open 8: 30 a. m. - 5: 00 p. m. during the early voting period.
  • May 29, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return Deadline: The deadline to return the application is 5: 00 p. m. on Friday, May 29.
  • June 5, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Friday before an election.

General Election — November 3, 2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November

Important dates​

  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: Register in person at your county board of voter registration. In person registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Download a voter registration form, complete it, and return it to your county board of voter registration by mail, fax, or email. Note that your mailed-in register must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: Complete your Voter Registration online. Online registration Requires S. C. Driver's License or DMV ID. If you have moved, you must first update your residence address with DMV. Online registration deadline is 30 days before Election Day. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 19, 2026 — Early voting begins: Early voting begins Monday, 15 days prior to election day, through Saturday, three days prior to election day.
  • October 31, 2026 — Early voting ends: Early voting ends the Saturday before an election. **Note: ** The original date is October 31, which is a Saturday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 33

Official South Carolina election resources​

Use these official and state-specific resources to confirm dates, registration rules, absentee voting requirements, voter ID rules, and local procedures.

What may vary locally​

Election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.