South Carolina Absentee Ballot Guide

Important Deadlines

• Voter Registration Form: Postmarked 30 days before the election
• Absentee Ballot Application: Received by 5:00 p.m on the 4th day before the election, whether delivering in person, by mail, fax or email
• Voted Absente Ballot: Received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, either in person or by mail

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget. Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also  download and complete the South Carolina voter registration application. Mail your completed form to your county voter registration office.

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You can register at any time.  Students may register to vote where they attend college only if they establish that they are a resident of that community. In establishing such residence, students must demonstrate that they have a present intention to remain in the community.

Verify your voter registration

It's best to verify your voter registration before applying for your absentee ballot.  If there's a problem with your registration, register again before proceeding.

NOTE: Most people receive their voter registration cards in the mail 2-3 weeks after registering to vote. Don't worry if you lost your voter registration card. You don't actually need it to vote.

Make sure you're eligible to vote by absentee ballot

You may vote by absentee ballot if:  

• you are a student away at college (or a spouse or dependent residing with the student)
• you are a member of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees (or a spouse or dependent residing with such a person) 
• you live overseas 
• your job prevents you from voting in person 
• you are physically disabled 
• you are away on vacation 
• you are 65 or older
• you have been admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on day of election or at least four days prior to the election
• there has been a death or funeral in your family within 3 days before the election
• you are confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
• you are attending sick or physically disabled persons
• you are on jury duty in state or federal court on election day 
• you are a certified poll watcher, poll manager, or county elecion official and you will be working on election day

Apply for your absentee ballot

You can begin applying on January 1 for any election held during that same year.  South Carolina prepares a personalized absentee ballot application for each voter who wishes to vote absentee. 

Contact your county voter registration office and ask them to mail you an absentee ballot application. (NOTE: the first request you need to make is for the absentee ballot application, not for the absentee ballot itself.) 

If you're unable to request an application for yourself, you can ask a member of your immediate family to request it for you.  If you are ill or physically disabled, you may designate an authorized representative to request it for you.  Candidates and paid campaign workers may not serve as authorized representatives, except for a member of their own family.  

Your county voter registrar will verify your voter registration and then mail you a personalized  absentee ballot application.  Complete the application and return it to the address indicated on the form.  Once your application is processed, they'll mail you the absentee ballot.

Your absentee ballot application must be received no later than 5pm four days before the election.  We recommend requesting and submitting your application well before the deadline.  

Check the status of your absentee ballot application

You can check the status of your absentee ballot application online at the South Carolina Election Commission's website.

Receive, complete and return your absentee ballot

Your completed absentee ballot must be placed in the "Ballots Herein" envelope provided with your absentee ballot. The "Ballots Herein" envelope will then be placed inside a "Return Envelope" which you must sign and have witnessed before returning.

Ballots must be returned to your county voter registration office by 7:00 p.m. on election day.  Absentee ballots may be returned either by mail or in person.  An absentee ballot may also be returned by an authorized representative by completing "Authorization to Return Absentee Ballot Form." Contact your county voter registration office to if you need this form.

Candidates and paid campaign workers may not serve as authorized representatives, except for members of their own family.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID with my voter registration form?

South Carolina requires all applicants to include their full Social Security number on their voter registration forms.  This number is used to make sure that one person has not registered multiple times.  If you are registering for the first time in your county, you MUST attach a copy of a current and valid photo identification OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and South Carolina address.  If you do not provide your ID, you'll have to provide it the first time you vote.  

Do I need to provide ID when I vote by absentee ballot?

If you are a first-time South Carolina voter and you registered to vote by mail, you should provide a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot application.  If you forget, you'll need to include it with your absentee ballot.  Acceptable forms of ID include a current and valid photo ID OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and South Carolina address.  If you never provide ID, you're ballot will be considered a provisional ballot, which means it might not be counted. 

If you are a first-time South Carolina voter and you registered to vote in person you do not need to provide additional ID with your absentee ballot.

If you have already voted in South Carolina , either in person or by absentee ballot, you do not need to provide ID during the absentee voting process.  

I need an emergency absentee ballot.  Help!

The deadline to apply for a regular absentee ballot is four days before an election.  Voters admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within four days of the election can have an immediate family member apply and carry a ballot to the voter. Contact your South Carolina county election commission/voter registration office for information on how to obtain an emergency absentee ballot.

Can I vote in person before the election?

Yes. Check out our Early Voting page for details.

Additional Information