Two weeks of true early voting in South Carolina opens May 31, which means registered voters can choose their candidates in-person for the June 14 Democratic and Republican primaries without having to give an excuse.<\/p>\n
Previously voters had to give a reason for voting early, such as being at school, work or out of town on election day. That restriction was done away with in the legislation signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster on May 13, a day after legislators gave final approval.<\/p>\n
Voting hours for the primary are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays until June 10.<\/p>\n
Advocates of the changes have stressed that unlike in neighboring Georgia, where post-2020 election law changes brought national protests, South Carolina legislators worked together to pass a bill unanimously in both chambers.<\/p>\n
Some counties hope to have multiple satellite early voting locations in place for November, when the hours must also extend. But for the primary, there won\u2019t be as many options, partly due to the newness of the law. Primaries also don\u2019t draw as many people out to the polls as general elections.<\/p>\n
Under the new law, counties may establish up to seven total locations.<\/p>\n
Election officials have welcomed the change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis law changes so much for the state of South Carolina,\u201d said Charleston County Election Commission Director Isaac Cramer. \u201cIt makes voting so much easier and more accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the primary, the Charleston office has only one voting location at his headquarters in North Charleston \u201cbut as we adapt to the new law and the amount of people that want to vote it will only become more efficient,\u201d said Cramer, who\u2019s also\u00a0legislative chairman of the state Association of Registration and Election Officials.<\/p>\n
Other counties, including neighboring Berkeley and Dorchester counties, are already offering several options for voters. Richland and Florence counties tie for the most early voting centers for the primary, at five each. Beaufort, Georgetown and Horry counties each have four.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to try and always utilize the library system,\u201d said Rosie Brown, director of the Berkeley County Election Commission. \u201cHistorically it has been the most effective in constituents going to vote and knowing where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hopefully this brings more constituents to the polls and vote, now that they have two extra weeks and no need to fill out an excuse on an absentee ballot,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Dorchester County Election Commission Director Kizzie Scott and other election officials encouraged voters to look at local and state election commission web sites for more information, including to verify their voter registration and ballot information.<\/p>\n
The state Election Commission can be viewed at\u00a0SCVotes.gov.<\/p>\n
Among the Lowcountry sites available beginning May 31:<\/p>\n
Berkeley County\u00a0is using the county Voter Registrations and Election Office, 1003 N. Highway 52, Moncks Corner; the Hanahan library branch at 1216 Old Murray Court; and the St. Stephen library branch, 113 Ravenell Drive. Voting is available from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week; there are no Saturday hours.<\/p>\n
On the web visit:\u00a0https:\/\/berkeleycountysc.gov\/dept\/elections\/<\/p>\n
Dorchester County\u00a0voters can go to the county building in St. George at 201 Johnston St.; Austin Bailey Elementary School, 820 W. 5th St., Summerville; and Westcott Park, 9006, Dorchester Rd., Voting is available from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Voting is available from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week; there are no Saturday hours.<\/p>\n
On the web visit:\u00a0https:\/\/www.dorchestercountysc.gov\/government\/administrative-services\/election-commission<\/p>\n
Charleston County\u00a0is using the Charleston county election office as their lone location. The address is 4367 Headquarters Road in North Charleston. Voting is available from 8:30-a.m.-5 p.m. during the week. There are no Saturday hours.<\/p>\n
On the web visit:\u00a0https:\/\/vote.charlestoncounty.org\/<\/p>\n
Other things to know, according to the S.C. Election Commission:
\nVoters can still cast an absentee ballot by mail, but only if they can\u2019t vote in person early or at the polls June 14.\u00a0The allowed list for absentee voting includes people with disabilities, those 65 and older, military personnel, and people gone for the entire voting span, for whatever reason.<\/p>\n
Applications for an absentee ballot must be returned by June 3. That\u2019s because the deadline to apply for a ballot \u2014 for all elections going forward \u2014 is 11 days prior to an election, instead of four days.<\/p>\n
Absentee applications must be requested by phone, mail or in person; online, fax and email requests are no longer allowed. And they must be returned by mail or in person.<\/p>\n
There is a new limitation on the number of absentee ballots that someone can return in person to their county office. Under the law, a voter can hand-deliver their own and up to five others.\u00a0Previously, there was no limit. Voters can still return their absentee ballot through the mail without needing an intermediary.<\/p>\n
Returning more than five ballots is now a felony crime punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or five years in prison, or both.<\/p>\n
The law also newly requires that anyone returning an absentee ballot in person to a county election office \u2014 whether the voter, a family member or someone else the voter authorizes\u00a0\u2014 show their driver\u2019s license or other form of allowed identification, such as a passport. That syncs up ID requirements for people returning absentee ballots to those voting early or at the polls on election day.<\/p>\n
Voters must still get a witness to sign the outer envelope of an absentee ballot. It can be anyone 18 or older. Nothing changes with that for the primary.<\/p>\n
Starting with the November elections, however, witnesses to the voter\u2019s oath must additionally print their name.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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