DECISION 2026: How to Vote Absentee in South Carolina’s November 3 General Election 

COLUMBIA – Interested in voting absentee for the November 3 General Election but not sure where to start? The State Election Commission (SEC) is breaking down the absentee voting process, including eligibility requirements and important deadlines voters need to know.

Who Can Vote Absentee?

Absentee voting allows qualified voters to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day. Only voters who have a qualifying reason can vote absentee. 

Common qualifying reasons can be: 

• Having a physical disability 
• Being 65 and older 
• People with employment obligations which prevent them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on Election Day. 

For a full list of qualifying reasons, visit our absentee voting page on scVOTES.gov.

Request an Absentee Application 

You can submit your request for an application as early as January 1, of the election year. 

• Call, visit, or send your request by U.S. mail to your county voter registration and elections office. 
• You must provide your name, date of birth, and last four digits of your SSN. 
• You will be mailed an application. 

Complete, Sign and Return the Application

Return the application by U.S. mail or personal delivery to your county voter registration and elections office as soon as possible. 

• The deadline to return your application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23. 
• You will receive your absentee ballot in the mail after your application is returned. 

Vote and Return your Absentee Ballot 

• Carefully mark your ballot.
• Place the ballot in the “ballot here-in” envelope and place the “ballot here-in” envelope in the return envelope. 
• Be sure to sign the voter’s oath and have your signature witnessed. 
• Anyone age 18 or older can witness your signature. A notary is not necessary.
• Return your ballot to your county voter registration and elections office or an early voting center either by mail or personal delivery. 
• You must present your Photo ID when returning the ballot in person. For a list of acceptable Photo IDs visit scVOTES.gov.  
• Absentee ballots must be received by your county voter registration and elections office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. 
• Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to Election Day to help ensure timely delivery. 
• Visit scVOTES.gov to find information about how immediate family members and authorized representatives can make an absentee request or return a ballot for another person. All requestors are limited to five requests in addition to their own per election.

Track the Status of Your Absentee Request and Ballot 

Check the status of your absentee request and track your ballot online at scVOTES.gov. You can also contact your county voter registration and elections office for updates regarding your absentee ballot.

Military and Overseas Citizens 

Special provisions are available for military and overseas citizens. Go to scVOTES.gov or FVAP.gov for more information.

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About the South Carolina State Election Commission

The South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) is the state’s chief election authority, responsible for ensuring all elections are fair, impartial and accessible to every eligible voter. Working in partnership with county election officials, the SEC oversees voter registration, administers approximately 300 elections each year and provides guidance and resources to support secure and consistent election processes statewide. Guided by its mission to ensure every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in elections with confidence that every vote counts, the SEC is committed to transparency, integrity and public trust. Learn more at scVOTES.gov.

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