South Carolina 2026 General Election Dates & Early Voting Schedule

Early Voting Schedule and Deadlines

In-person early voting for the November 3 general election will run from Monday, October 19, through Saturday, October 31, 2026. State election officials confirmed that early voting locations will be open during standard business hours, though exact hours and specific county-level sites are managed individually by each of the state’s county voter registration and elections offices.

Voters planning to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day must present a valid photo ID, such as a South Carolina driver’s license, a DMV-issued ID card, a passport, or a voter registration card containing a photo. Absentee voting by mail remains available for eligible voters who meet specific statutory criteria, such as being sixty-five or older, having a physical disability, or being away from their county of residence on election day.

Offices on the Ballot in 2026

The 2026 cycle marks a midterm election year in South Carolina, bringing high-profile executive and legislative positions before the electorate. Alongside the race for governor, voters will cast ballots for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and superintendent of education. All 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives and various local municipal offices will also be contested.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the voter registration deadline for the 2026 general election?

According to South Carolina election law, the deadline to register to vote in person or by mail for the general election typically falls thirty days prior to the election. Online voter registration is available through the state’s official voting portal until midnight on the final registration day.

Where can voters find their assigned polling place?

Voters can check their registration status, view sample ballots, and locate their specific early voting centers or Election Day polling places by visiting the online voter portal provided by the South Carolina Election Commission.