Election Day Polling Hours
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, all polling places across South Carolina will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. It is important to note that any voter who is in line by 7:00 p.m. is legally permitted to cast their ballot, so do not leave if you are still waiting when the polls officially close.. This 12-hour window is uniform across the state, providing a consistent timeframe for all in-person voters on Election Day.
Finding Your Designated Polling Place
On Election Day, you must vote at your specifically assigned polling place. These locations can sometimes change between elections, so it is always a good idea to confirm the address before you head out. The South Carolina Election Commission (scVOTES) provides an easy-to-use online tool to find your polling location..
By entering your information on the scVOTES.gov portal, you can verify your registration, find your polling place address, and even view a sample ballot for your precinct.. This helps you prepare ahead of time and know exactly where you need to go.
What to Bring: South Carolina's Voter ID Law
South Carolina requires voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person.. Accepted forms of identification are quite specific and must be current. These include a South Carolina driver's license, a S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, a S.C. Voter Registration Card with a photo, a U.S. passport, or a federal military ID.. If you do not have one of these IDs, you can still vote. You can sign an affidavit at your polling place explaining you have a 'reasonable impediment' to obtaining one. After signing, you will vote a provisional ballot, which will be counted unless your affidavit is challenged.. If you simply forgot your ID, you can also cast a provisional ballot and then present your ID to the county election office before the election is certified..
An Alternative: No-Excuse Early Voting
If voting on Election Day is inconvenient, South Carolina offers a two-week period of no-excuse early voting for all registered voters.. For the 2026 general election, this period runs from Monday, October 19, through Saturday, October 31.. Early voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sunday, October 25.. Unlike Election Day, you are not tied to a single precinct. You can cast your ballot at any early voting center within your county.. The same photo ID requirements apply. This flexible option is designed to make it easier for everyone to participate in the election at a time that works for their schedule.
