News

COLUMBIA, SC (July 15, 2019) - The S.C. State Election Commission (SEC) is aware of recent reporting raising concerns over the fact the current version of ElectionWare runs on Windows 7, and Microsoft plans to discontinue general support of Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. South Carolina fully expects to be using a new version of ElectionWare that runs on Windows 10 for all elections in 2020.

The State of South Carolina recently procured a new paper-based voting system from Election Systems & Software (ES&S), which is being implemented in preparation for statewide use beginning January 1, 2020. The voting system consists of ExpressVote ballot-marking devices, ballot scanners/tabulators, and ElectionWare workstations, among other associated items. ElectionWare workstations are used to create ballots and to accumulate election results.

June 18, 2019 - Greenville County

Primary Results

COLUMBIA, SC (June 10, 2019) – The state of South Carolina today announced the award of a contract for a new statewide voting system. After a lengthy evaluation of numerous proposals, an evaluation panel unanimously selected the Election Systems and Software (ES&S) ExpressVote voting system. The new paper-based system will replace the state’s aging paperless system that has been in place since 2004.

April 23, 2019 - Greenwood and Laurens Counties

Special Election Results

Primary Results

Important Dates & Deadlines

Filing Opens:  Noon, Friday, December 28

Filing Closes:  Noon, Saturday, January 5

Click Here for Candidate Tracking - Get candidate names and information (available after filing opens).

January 20 - Voter Registration Deadline for Primary

February 19 - Primary

March 5 - Primary Runoff

March 24 - Voter Registration Deadline for Special Election

April 23 - Special Election

Candidate Filing Information

The SEC is in the process of replacing its current, paperless statewide voting system with a new voting system solution that features a paper record of each voter’s voted ballot.  On this page, you will find news, information and informative links related to the replacement effort.

Voting System Replacement Facts:

March 26, 2019 - Greenville County

Special Election Results

Primary Results

Important Dates & Deadlines

Noon, Friday, November 30 - Filing Opens

Noon, Saturday, December 8 - Filing Closes

Click Here for Candidate Tracking - Get candidate names and information (available after filing opens).

December 23 - Voter Registration Deadline for Primary

January 22 - Primary

February 24 - Voter Registration Deadline for Special Election

March 26 - Special Election

Candidate Filing Information

Before any voting system is used in an election, it must be approved by the State Election Commission, which must examine and test the system to ensure the system may be accurately and efficiently used by voters in elections, as provided by law (S.C. Code 7-13-1620).  This approval is in addition to the requirement that the system be certified by a testing laboratory accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.  Currently, the system must be certified to Voluntary Voting System Guidelines Version 1.0.

This approval does not mean a system will necessarily be used in elections outside of field testing.  The system must also be adopted for use by the State Election Commission (S.C. Code 7-13-1655).  A single system will be adopted for use following the procurement process.

The table below lists each voting system submitted and steps completed in the approval process.

February 19, 2019 - Greenwood and Laurens Counties

State House District 14 Primary Results

January 22, 2019 - Greenville County

State Senate District 6 Primary Results

Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed 2019 as S.C. State Election Commission 50th Anniversary Year throughout the state. He is encouraging all South Carolinians to celebrate the State Election Commission’s 50 years of ensuring eligible citizens have the opportunity to register to vote, the opportunity to participate in fair and impartial elections, and the assurance that their votes will count.

Read the Governor's Proclamation

Read more about the SEC's 50th Anniversary

Celebrating the Commitment to Ensuring Every Vote Matters and Every Vote Counts

COLUMBIA, SC (December 27, 2018) – Beginning January 1, the South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) will be celebrating 50 years of ensuring every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register to vote, participate in fair and impartial elections, and have the assurance that their votes will count. That commitment began on January 1, 1969, when the SEC was formed by the General Assembly as an independent state agency charged with overseeing South Carolina’s elections.

COLUMBIA, SC (December 7, 2018) - The State Election Commission (SEC) in conjunction with the State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA) today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for South Carolina’s next statewide voting system. The SEC is seeking a uniform, statewide voting system solution that features a paper record of each voter’s voted ballot to replace the current paperless system. The SEC expects to implement the new system by January 2020.

A new voting system will not only provide the state with a dependable system that will serve voters for years to come but will also improve the security and resilience of our election process. Having a paper record of each voter’s voted ballot will add an important layer of security as it allows for post-election audits of ballots to verify vote totals.

The SEC is issuing the RFP now to allow adequate time for evaluation of voting system proposals and subsequent implementation by January 2020. The SEC continues working with the S.C. General Assembly to acquire funding for this replacement effort.

COLUMBIA, SC (November 2, 2018) – As of today, more than 260,000 absentee ballots have been issued statewide, and more than 230,000 absentee ballots have been returned.  For the 2014 General Election, the last midterm, approximately 157,000 absentee ballots were cast, which was the previous record for absentee voting in a midterm election.  Absentee numbers will continue to increase as voters will have additional opportunities to vote absentee in person on Saturday and Monday before the General Election on Tuesday.

 
County election offices will be open statewide for in-person absentee voting on 

• Saturday, November 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To vote absentee in-person, visit your county elections office, complete an application, and cast your ballot. 

Absentee by Mail:

Click here to download a list of frequently asked questions related to the 2018 General Election.

COLUMBIA, SC (October 12, 2018) - Absentee voting for the November 6, 2018 General Election is underway at county elections offices throughout the state.  As of this morning, approximately 45,000 voters had applied for absentee ballots statewide.  At this point in the process in 2014, the last gubernatorial election, approximately 30,000 voters had applied for absentee ballots statewide.

Voters who are age 65 and older, who will be on vacation, or who can’t go to the polls due to their job are all qualified to vote absentee.   If you meet one of these or any of the other qualifying reasons, you can vote early by absentee ballot.  The State Election Commission wants you to know how to vote absentee and the deadlines for doing so.

Voting Absentee In-Person:

• Visit your county elections office, complete an application, and cast your ballot. 
• Available until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5.

Voting Absentee by Mail: