COLUMBIA, S.C. — In-person early voting for the 2026 statewide general election starts Monday across South Carolina, giving voters in all 46 counties nearly two weeks to cast a ballot before Election Day.
The early window stays open through Saturday, Oct. 31. Centers welcome voters from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and they do not open on Sundays.
Voters may pick whichever early site is most convenient within their home county of registration, but a center in a neighboring county will not work for them. The process works the same way it does at a regular precinct on Election Day, using the same voting machines.
A photo ID is required. Voters are also encouraged to look over a sample ballot ahead of time so they know which races and questions they will see.
This is a midterm year with no presidential contest, but the ballot is still crowded. South Carolinians will choose a governor and weigh in on a U.S. Senate seat and congressional races, along with state and local offices and ballot questions. Some counties also have local referendums, such as a proposed transportation sales tax in Charleston County.
Every county has at least one early voting site, usually at the county voter registration and elections office. Larger counties run several, often at libraries, community centers and churches. The Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester area alone has 17 centers.
Local election officials expect strong turnout, saying the ease of voting early plus a slate of close contests should bring people out. The full list of early voting centers for each county is posted by the State Election Commission.
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