South Carolina Election Commission
February 24, 2020

Time Running Out to Vote Absentee in 2020 Presidential Primary

COLUMBIA, SC (February 24, 2020) – The State Election Commission wants voters to be aware of upcoming deadlines for voting absentee in the Democratic Presidential Preference Primary.

If you still need to vote absentee:


If you have a mail-in absentee ballot and have not returned it yet:

  • Return your ballot as soon as possible.  
  • The safest option is to take your ballot to your county voter registration and elections office.
  • You can mail your ballot but be aware of U.S. Postal Service transit times.  First class mail may take 2-5 days to arrive at its destination.  
  • For your ballot to count, it must make it to the county voter registration and elections office by 7:00 p.m. on election day.


If you still need to vote absentee but can’t make it to the office:

  • The deadline to return an application for an absentee by mail ballot is 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25.  However, due to U.S. Postal Service transit times, you will not likely be able to complete the process by mail.  
  • When you receive your ballot, you or an authorized returnee will need to take your ballot to the county voter registration and elections office.  If authorizing another person to return your ballot, you must complete the Authorized Returnee form.


Visit our Fact Sheets page for historical turnout statistics and daily statistics on absentee voting in the Democratic Presidential Preference Primary.


South Carolina Democratic Party
Feb 05, 2020

SCDP Chairman Trav Robertson releases statement on potential GOP participating in SC Primary

SCDP Chairman Trav Robertson releases statement on potential GOP participating in SC Primary

Columbia, SC — Today Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party Trav Robertson Jr. released the following statement regarding reporting in the Post & Courier and possible GOP participation in the primary.

“The Republican Party opted not to hold their own primary earlier this year. They decided to tell their constituents that they do not believe in democracy or freedom.

As a state with an open primary system, anyone is free to take part in the democratic process that we champion. This is a part of the charm of South Carolina. We welcome any South Carolina voters to participate in our democracy, especially those who are  dissatisfied and fed up with Donald Trump’s immorality.

These folks are attempting to cover up the fact that there are moderate Republicans who do not support the immoral president — it’s clear the GOP wants to hide that there are many moderate voters in Greenville who do not support Donald Trump. As a child of the Upstate, I know that the current Republican Party does not represent the spiritual values of those in the Upstate.

However, I would issue a word of caution to GOP voters who think they will sway the election in favor of Donald Trump: do not underestimate the enthusiasm that Democratic candidates can generate. There is nothing that they could do in our primary that will diminish the show of force we will have in the general election.”

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South Carolina Election Commission

2020 Presidential Preference Primary FAQs

Q.  What is a Presidential Preference Primary (PPP)?

A.   A PPP, commonly referred to simply as a “Presidential Primary,” is a publicly held election in which voters vote for their choice to be a political party’s nominee for President in the general election.  State political parties use the results of the PPP to assign state delegates to the national party convention.  At the national convention, delegates from all participating states choose the party’s nominee.  The party’s nominee goes on the General Election ballot in November.  For more on a specific party’s nominating process, contact the appropriate political party.

Q.  Do I have to be a registered member of a party to participate in a Presidential Primary?

A.   No, S.C. does not have registration by party.  The Presidential Primaries are open to all registered S.C. voters.

Q.  Why is there no Republican Presidential Primary?

Read moreabout 2020 Presidential Preference Primary FAQs
January 30 is Voter Registration Deadline for Democratic Presidential Primary
Make Sure You Are Registered and Your Information is Current

COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 24, 2020) – To help ensure voters are prepared for the February 29 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary, the State Election Commission wants to remind South Carolinians of the fast-approaching voter registration deadline.

YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
TO VOTE IN THE 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY.

Voters not currently registered to vote in their county of residence must register by the deadline, including citizens who:

Will be 18 years old on or before November 3, 2020 and have not registered.
Moved to a new county but did not register in the new county.
Moved from another state but did not register in South Carolina.
Voters should prepare for election day by checking to make sure their registration is current.  Visit scVOTES.org and click “Check My Registration.”


South Carolina Election Commission
Fri, 01/24/2020 - 13:44

2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary Candidates

The following candidates were certified for the February 29, 2020 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary:

Michael Bennet - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot

Joseph R. Biden

Cory Booker - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot

Pete Buttigieg

Julian Castro - Withdrew, name will NOT appear on ballot

John K. Delaney - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot

Tulsi Gabbard

Amy Klobuchar

Deval Patrick - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot

Bernie Sanders

Tom Steyer

Elizabeth Warren

Marianne Williamson - Withdrew, name will NOT appear on ballot

Andrew Yang - Withdrew, name will appear on ballot