Ed. Note: Normally to vote absentee in South Carolina one must meet one of the criteria listed below.  In May 2020, Gov. McMaster signed legislation allowing all voters to vote absentee, but just for the June primary and runoff.  The SCDP is pushing to extend absentee/mail in voting to the Nov. 3 general election.

MEDIA ADVISORY: SCDP VOTER PROTECTION PRESS CONFERENCE TO DEMAND STATEWIDE MAIL IN VOTING


Who: The South Carolina Democratic Party
What: Call for Statewide Mail In Voting Press Conference
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2020; 10:30am ET
Location: Online via Zoom
Featured Speakers: Trav Robertson, Jr. SCDP Chair and Shaundra Young Scott Esq., SCDP Director of Voter Protection
 
COLUMBIA, SC —  The South Carolina Democratic Party will be holding a press conference demanding State legislators create a Statewide mail in voting program.

Following the numerous voting irregularities and instances of outright voter disenfranchisement during South Carolina’s June 9th primaries, SCDP is calling on elected officials to create a Statewide mail in voting program by Friday, June 26th, or else.

SCDP Voter Protection Director Shaundra Young Scott will present data, documents and first person accounts of issues voters and candidates experienced on primary day. It is the intent of the Party

“As long as COVID-19 remains a credible health threat to the public, SCDP will not allow any voter to be disenfranchised November 3, 2020, because the legislature and the Elections committee refused to take action ahead of Election Day.” says Robertson. 

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South Carolina Election Commission
May 13, 2020

All Voters Can Now Vote Absentee in June Primaries, Runoffs

COLUMBIA, SC (May 13, 2020) – Every voter in South Carolina is now qualified to vote absentee in the June Primaries and Runoffs.  Governor McMaster today signed into law legislation passed yesterday by the General Assembly that authorizes any voter to vote absentee in any election in June 2020.  The provision expires on July 1, 2020 and does not apply to any elections after that date.

“This action by the General Assembly and Governor McMaster, which we greatly appreciate, will go a long way in protecting the health and safety of every South Carolinian,” said Marci Andino, Executive Director of the S.C. State Election Commission.   “All voters now have a safer alternative to voting at their polling place in June.”

All voters now have two options to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 Statewide Primaries and Runoffs.

Vote Absentee
  • Any voter can now select Reason 18 – State of Emergency on the absentee application.
  • If voting absentee by mail:
    • Get your application now and return it as soon as possible. 
    • Once you receive your ballot, vote the ballot, and return it as soon as possible.
  • If voting absentee in person:
Vote on Election Day
  • Election officials are taking steps to protect the health of voters and poll managers:
    • Poll managers will receive special Covid-19 training on applying social distancing and maintaining sanitary conditions in the polling place.
    • Election officials are working to source:
      • Masks, face shields and gloves for poll managers.
      • Sneeze guards for check-in stations.
      • Sanitizing wipes for cleaning common surfaces.
      • Hand sanitizer for voters and poll managers.
      • Cotton swabs for making selections on the touchscreen.
    • Check-in stations and voting equipment will be spaced at least six feet apart.
  • Some polling places will be relocated or consolidated due to the pandemic.  Some facilities have declined to be used, and some poll managers have declined to serve. Election officials are working to find new locations and recruit new managers; however, some voters will vote at a different polling place.
  • Voters should prepare by:
    • Making sure your address is up to date.
    • Bringing your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).
    • Checking your polling place at scVOTES.org before going to the polls.
    • Wearing a protective mask if you have one.
    • Bringing your own pen for signing the poll list.
    • Practicing social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others.
    • Being patient.  We are all in this together.

      Persons qualified to vote by absentee ballot:
      1. Members of the Armed Forces (click here for additional information)
      2. Members of the Merchant Marine (click here for additional information)
      3. Spouses and dependents residing with members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine (click here for additional information)
      4. Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them (click here for additional information)
      5. Citizens residing overseas (click here for additional information)
      6. Persons who are physically disabled (includes illnesses and injuries)
      7. Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them
      8. Persons who for reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
      9. Government employees serving outside their county of residence on Election Day and their spouses and dependents residing with them
      10. Persons who plan to be on vacation outside their county of residence on Election Day
      11. Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day
      12. Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on Election Day or within a four-day period before the election
      13. Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election
      14. Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
      15. Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
      16. Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials working on Election Day
      17. Persons sixty-five years of age or older
      18. State of Emergency (June 2020 elections only)
      19. Persons who for religious reasons do not want to vote on a Saturday (Presidential Primaries Only)