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Make Your Voting Plan: Early Voting in South Carolina

South Carolina voters can cast their ballot before Election Day at an early voting center in their county. Here’s what to know before you go.

James Agens,

AARP South Carolina

Published April 29, 2026

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Voting is one way people make their voices heard on issues that affect their families, finances, health and communities. AARP is sharing information from the South Carolina Election Commission to help voters across the state understand their options and make a plan that works for them.

Early voting allows all registered South Carolina voters to vote in person before Election Day. During the early voting period, voters may visit any early voting center in their county, present a photo ID and vote using the same voting system used at polling places on Election Day.

What is early voting?

Early voting is in-person voting before Election Day. It can be a helpful option for voters who want more flexibility or who may have work, caregiving, transportation, health or family responsibilities on Election Day.

Early voting is available to all registered voters in South Carolina. You do not need an excuse to vote early.

When is early voting available?

Early voting dates and hours depend on the type of election.

For statewide general elections, early voting runs from Monday, 15 days before Election Day, through Saturday, three days before Election Day. Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on Sundays and state holidays.

For other elections and primaries, early voting generally runs from Monday, 15 days before Election Day, through Friday, four days before Election Day. Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays.

For runoffs, early voting runs from Wednesday, six days before Election Day, through Friday, four days before Election Day. Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on state holidays.

Because dates and locations can vary by election, voters should check the South Carolina Election Commission’s early voting page before heading out.

Learn More About Early Voting in South Carolina

Where can I vote early?

During the early voting period, voters may visit any early voting center in their county. This may be different from your Election Day polling place, so it is important to check your county’s early voting locations before you go.

The South Carolina Election Commission says voters can find early voting center locations by checking scVOTES.gov or contacting their county voter registration office. For statewide primary and general elections, county voter registration offices establish early voting centers by March 10 of the election year, and locations are posted on scVOTES.gov shortly afterward. For other state or federal elections, early voting dates, times and locations are posted at least two weeks before early voting begins.

What should I bring?

When voting in person in South Carolina, voters will be asked to show a current and valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include:

South Carolina driver’s license
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID card
South Carolina voter registration card with photo
Federal military ID
U.S. passport

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The South Carolina Election Commission notes that if you already have one of these photo IDs, you are ready to vote.

What if I do not have a photo ID?

The South Carolina Election Commission provides information for voters who do not have one of the accepted photo IDs. Voters may be able to get a free photo ID from their county voter registration and elections office or local DMV office.

If a voter cannot get a photo ID, the Election Commission says the voter should bring their non-photo voter registration card to the polling place. The voter may cast a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating they have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID. Examples listed by the Election Commission include a disability or illness, a work schedule conflict, lack of transportation, lack of a birth certificate, family responsibilities, a religious objection to being photographed or another obstacle the voter finds reasonable.

How to make your early voting plan

Before you vote early, take a few minutes to prepare:

Check your voter registration.
Make sure your registration is up to date before the election.
Find your early voting center.
Early voting locations may differ from Election Day polling places. Check the South Carolina Election Commission’s early voting page for current locations.
Review the dates and hours.
Early voting periods vary by election type. Confirm the dates, times and closures before you go.
Bring an accepted photo ID.
Have your South Carolina driver’s license, DMV ID card, photo voter registration card, federal military ID or U.S. passport ready.
Plan your transportation and timing.
Choose a day and time that work for your schedule.

AARP is here to help voters stay informed

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. We encourage voters to get trusted election information from official sources and make a voting plan that works for them.

To learn more about early voting in South Carolina, including dates, hours and locations, visit the South Carolina Election Commission’s early voting page.

Visit SC Votes to Learn More