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# South Carolina opens early voting through October 31, with countywide choice of centers
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-south-carolina-2026-10-19-a/
- Published: 2026-10-19T22:28:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-19T22:28:21.000Z
- Description: South Carolina’s early-voting period began October 19 and runs through October 31. Registered voters may use any center in their own county; mail absentee voting has separate eligibility rules and an October 23 application deadline.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: Politics, South Carolina

South Carolina opened early voting Monday, October 19, giving registered voters through October 31 to cast ballots in person before the November 3 general election. The [Election Commission](https://scvotes.gov/voters/early-voting/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says voters may use any early-voting center in their own county, rather than being limited to their assigned Election Day precinct.

The centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, during the two-week period. They will be closed Sunday, October 25\. The commission’s [2026 guidance](https://scvotes.gov/voters/2026prep/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) confirms those hours and directs voters to the statewide list of county locations. That county boundary matters: the early-voting option is not permission to vote at a center elsewhere in South Carolina.

Early voting does not require an excuse or an application. The League of Women Voters Education Fund’s [VOTE411 guide](https://www.vote411.org/south-carolina?ref=theamericanquorum.com) distinguishes that walk-in process from absentee voting by mail, which requires an application and a qualifying reason. For voters deciding how to participate, the two routes therefore have different paperwork and deadlines.

For in-person voting, the commission lists five categories of acceptable, current photo identification: a South Carolina driver’s license; a qualifying state DMV identification card; a South Carolina voter-registration card with a photo; federal military identification; or a U.S. passport. Its [ID guidance](https://scvotes.gov/voters/photo-id-requirements/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) includes standard and REAL ID state licenses and cards, and passport cards as well as passport books. Registered voters without photo identification can obtain a free photo voter-registration card from their county elections office.

Lacking photo identification does not automatically end a voter’s opportunity to cast a ballot. Under the commission’s [impediment procedure](https://scvotes.gov/voters/photo-id-requirements/?ref=theamericanquorum.com), a voter with a reasonable obstacle to obtaining an ID may bring a current, non-photo registration card, sign an affidavit and vote provisionally. The ballot counts unless the county board finds the voter’s identity or stated impediment false. Forgetting an existing ID is different: that provisional ballot requires presenting acceptable photo identification to the county office before certification. [VOTE411](https://www.vote411.org/south-carolina?ref=theamericanquorum.com) independently describes both procedures.

Mail absentee voting remains available to eligible voters, including those age 65 or older and people with physical disabilities, under the commission’s [absentee rules](https://scvotes.gov/voters/absentee-voting/?ref=theamericanquorum.com). Its election-specific [absentee guide](https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Absentee-Statewide-General-Election-Go-To-Guide.pdf?ref=theamericanquorum.com) sets the application receipt deadline at 5 p.m. Friday, October 23\. Completed ballots must be received by the county elections office by 7 p.m. November 3; mailing a ballot that day is not enough. Voters must sign the oath, and a witness age 18 or older must sign the return envelope. The same guide recommends mailing ballots at least a week before Election Day and says voters can track their ballot online or contact their county office.

For those waiting until Election Day, the commission’s [voter guide](https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Statewide-General-Election-Go-To-Guide.pdf?ref=theamericanquorum.com) lists polling hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. November 3 at the voter’s assigned polling place. Before traveling, voters can use the commission’s [preparation page](https://scvotes.gov/voters/2026prep/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) to reach registration, polling-place and sample-ballot information, and check the early-voting location list if choosing that option.