Click here to download a list of frequently asked questions related to the 2018 General Election.
News
Absentee Voting Underway for 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:
SEC Mails to Unregistered Citizens, Urges Them to Register by Oct. 17
COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 8, 2018) – Postcards are being mailed to South Carolina residents who are most likely eligible to vote but have not yet registered. These postcards are being sent today to approximately 950,000 South Carolina residents, encouraging them to register by October 17th so they can vote in the 2018 General Election.
The mailing was planned as part of South Carolina’s recent membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). ERIC is an organization operated by member states which uses motor vehicle, voter registration, and Social Security Administration data to improve the accuracy of voter registration lists. To join, member states are required to reach out by mail to residents who are likely eligible but not registered letting them know how and when to register to vote.
Fines and Fees Collected
FY2009 - Fines and Fees Collected
FY2010 - FY2017 fines and fees collected are included in Accountability Reports.
FY2018 - Fines and Fees Collected
FY2019 - Fines and Fees Collected
Voter Registration Deadline Extended to October 17
COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 2, 2018) – South Carolina citizens now have more time to register to vote ahead of the 2018 General Election after the court today ordered the voter registration deadline extended to October 17.
The 10-day extension was necessary to protect the voting rights of South Carolina residents due to the widespread impact of Hurricane Florence. Many citizens have been displaced and are struggling to recover, and many county voter registration offices were closed for considerable periods of time.
While the deadline was extended due to the impact of Hurricane Florence, the October 17 deadline applies to voters in all counties.
YOU MUST REGISTER BY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 TO VOTE IN THE 2018 GENERAL ELECTION.
There are many ways to register in South Carolina, and it has never been easier:
National Voter Registration Day is September 25
COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 24, 2018) – To help ensure voters are prepared for the November 6 Statewide General Election, the State Election Commission is joining thousands of other election officials and others across the country to celebrate National Voter Registration Day.
The first step to ensuring every vote matters and every vote counts is making sure everyone has the opportunity to register to vote.
TO VOTE IN THE 2018 GENERAL ELECTION, YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7.
Are you already registered? Visit scvotes.org and click “Check My Registration” to make sure your registration is up-to-date.
There are many ways to register in South Carolina, and it has never been easier:
State Senate District 20 Primary Runoff
August 28, 2018 - Lexington and Richland Counties
2018 Constitutional Amendment Question
The following Constitutional Amendment Question will appear on ballots in the November 6, 2018 General Election:
Amendment 1
Must Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution of this State, relating to state constitutional officers, be amended so as to provide that beginning in January 2023, or upon a vacancy in the office of Superintendent of Education after the date of the ratification of the provisions of this paragraph, whichever occurs first, the Superintendent of Education must be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate; to provide that the appointed Superintendent of Education shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor; and to require the General Assembly to provide by law for the duties, compensation, and qualifications for the office?
Explanation
State Senate District 20 Primaries
August 14, 2018 - Lexington and Richland Counties
SEC Holds Election Security and Technology Workshop
Topics include election infrastructure security, voting system implementation and auditing methods
COLUMBIA, S.C. (August 8, 2018) – The S.C. State Election Commission (SEC) concluded its 2018 Election Security and Technology Workshop today in Columbia, S.C. Approximately 150 election officials and county information technology staff from all 46 counties in the state attended the two-day workshop. Attendees received valuable cybersecurity information and training, viewed the latest in voting system technologies and learned how other states are using paper ballot audits to confirm election results.
State House of Representatives District 120 Special Filing & Primary
August 28, 2018 - Beaufort and Jasper Counties
State House of Representatives District 58 Special Democratic Party Filing & Primary
August 14, 2018 - Horry County
This special filing period and special primary are being held pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws Section 7-11-55 after the death of the Democratic Party nominee for State House of Representatives District 58. Because this candidate had opposition in the General Election, this special filing period is open to only Democratic Party candidates. The nominee resulting from this special filing and primary will be a candidate on the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot.
Candidates
No candidates filed during this Special filing period.
Important Dates & Deadlines
July 15 - Voter Registration Deadline for Primary
Noon, July 24 - Filing Opens
Noon, July 31 - Filing Closes
August 14 - Primary (if necessary)
August 28 - Primary Runoff (if necessary)
November 6 - General Election
Candidate Filing Information
Know the Rules for Voting in the June 26 Primary Runoffs
COLUMBIA, SC (June 20, 2018) – The State Election Commission wants to make sure voters understand the rules for voting in the Primary Runoffs on Tuesday, June 26. Voters who voted in the June 12 Primaries are limited to voting in the same party’s runoff. Voters who did not vote on June 12 can choose to vote in either party’s runoff.
2018 Primary Runoff Offices and Candidates
Democratic Primary
U.S. House of Representatives District 2
Sean Carrigan
Annabelle Robertson
U.S. House of Representatives District 4
Brandon P Brown
Doris Lee Turner
U.S. House of Representatives District 7
Mal Hyman
Robert Williams
State House of Representatives District 77
Kambrell Garvin
Joe McEachern
Chester County Council District 2
Chris Melvin
Mike Vaughn
Dillon County Council District 7
Stevie Grice
Corey Jackson
Marion County Council District 3
James P Gause
Tom Shaw
Marlboro County Council District 7
Steve Blackmon
R Chris Brown
Republican Primary
Governor
Henry McMaster
John Warren
Attorney General
Todd Atwater
Alan Wilson
U.S. House of Representatives District 4
Lee Bright
William Timmons
State House of Representatives District 5
Neal Collins
Allan Quinn
State Senate District 20 Special Election
November 6, 2018 - Lexington and Richland Counties
Important Dates & Deadlines
Noon, Friday, June 22 - Filing Opens
Noon, Saturday, June 30 - Filing Closes
Current Filed Candidates: