SC State Election Commission
November 18, 2020

SC Election Commission Members Thank Voters, Election Officials Following a Record-Setting 2020 General Election

COLUMBIA, SC (November 18, 2020) – The five members of the SC State Election Commission today approved a resolution of thanks and appreciation to voters for their patience and enthusiasm and to county and state election officials and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to creating and enacting plans to provide safe and accessible registration and voting opportunities for every citizen.

“Faced with extraordinary challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state and county election officials worked tirelessly to adapt to new voting laws and set up safe voting processes,” said John Wells, Chairman of the State Election Commission. “As a result, the 2020 General Election was conducted safely and securely, all while seeing the largest number of voters in South Carolina election history. We thank the voters across South Carolina for their patience and enthusiasm under unprecedented circumstances.”

Click here to read the SEC Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation.

A record number of South Carolinians exercised their right to vote in the 2020 General Election:

Absentee Votes – 1,334,000. New record (previously 503,000 in 2016 GE).
In Person – 893,000. New record (previously 370,000 in 2016 GE).
By Mail – 441,000. New record (previously 147,000 in 2016 GE).
Election Day Votes – 1,199,000.
Total Voter Turnout – 2,533,000. New record (2,124,000 in 2016 GE).
53% voted absentee.  Record high (24% in 2016 GE).
47% voted on election day. Record low (76% in 2016 GE).
Voter Turnout Percentage – 72%.
Highest turnout percentage since 2008 GE (76%).
Second highest turnout percentage in the last 25 years.
SC State Election Commission
November 3, 2020

Absentee by Mail Printing Error Will Delay Results in Dorchester County

COLUMBIA, SC (November 3, 2020) – Due to a printing error by the ballot printing vendor, Dorchester County absentee by mail ballots are unable to be tabulated using ballot scanners.  All ballots will be counted, and this does not impact the integrity of the election.  However, unofficial results of by mail ballots in Dorchester County will not be available tonight.  Results of in-person absentee ballots and election day ballots are unaffected.

It is too early to know when the results will be tabulated, but the SEC is working with elections officials in Dorchester County to count the ballots accurately and completely.

This issue only impacts the approximately 14,600 by mail ballots issued by Dorchester County.
2020 General Election FAQs (Aug. 31, 2020)  PDF