Press Release

Anderson County

City of Belton, City Council Ward 4

• Josh Stephenson
• Kimberley Stevens

Berkeley County

City of Charleston, Mayor

• Mike Seekings
• John Tecklenburg

Town of Moncks Corner, Town Council (Unexpired Term)

• Johna Bilton
• DeWayne Kitts

Charleston County

City of Charleston, Mayor

• Mike Seekings
• John Tecklenburg

City of Charleston, City Council District 3

• James Lewis Jr
• Jason Sakran

Darlington County

City of Darlington, City Council

• Ernest L Boston Sr
• Howard J Nettles

Greenville County

City of Fountain Inn, Mayor

• Sam Lee
• G P McLear

City of Fountain Inn, City Council Ward 2

• Mike Maier
• Jay Thomason

City of Mauldin, Mayor

The November 5 elections were the first widespread use of the new voting system

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 6, 2019) – Yesterday, thousands of voters in the more than 180 local elections in 40 counties cast their ballots on South Carolina’s new paper-based voting system. This was the first widespread use of the new system, and the S.C. State Election Commission is pleased to report the transition was a success. 

“Election officials across the state have worked tirelessly over the past four months implementing the new system, attending training and making preparations,” said Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission. “Yesterday’s successful election is a testament to their hard work. This was a tremendous opportunity for both voters and election officials to make sure we’re ready for the first statewide elections on the new system in 2020.”

COLUMBIA, SC (September 23, 2019) – The South Carolina State Election Commission, along with Americans across the nation, will be celebrating National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. This is a nationwide effort to register voters before upcoming elections in November.

The State Election Commission encourages all South Carolinians to exercise their right to vote in all elections, including the more than 180 local elections being held throughout the state on November 5. The first step to doing that is registering to vote. But it’s not only November; there’s an election happening nearly every Tuesday somewhere in the state.  Click here for a complete list of upcoming elections.

YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY THE DEADLINE TO VOTE IN A NOVEMBER 5 ELECTION.

Registering to vote has never been easier:

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.

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: