Accessible Voting in South Carolina
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General Election in South Carolina
- In South Carolina, there is a question about citizenship and voting on the ballot.
- In South Carolina, check with your state or local election officials for information about voting response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- In South Carolina, there may be changes to mail voting rules. Check the instructions carefully to be sure your ballot counts.
Voting Information
Visit your state Voters with Disabilities page
Phone: (803) 734-9060
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in South Carolina
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in South Carolina for voters with disabilities
- Ask your local election office if you can vote by mail for all elections.
- Ask about accessible vote-by-mail system
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Other services for voters with disabilities
- How to get assistance voting
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 21 through November 2, early voting is available at early voting centers between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
Find your polling place.
- First-time voters are asked to show identification.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in South Carolina are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
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Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5.
How to get your ballot
- Voters must have an excuse to vote by mail.
- Ask your local election office if voters with disabilities can request or receive a ballot for more than one election.
To get your ballot you can:
Request a form from your local elections office.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At your local elections office
At an early voting location
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
Return your ballot promptly. Postmarks don't count.
Put enough postage on the envelope.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Have a witness sign the form on the envelope.
- Voters with disabilities can appoint someone to return their ballot for them. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is no statewide accessible vote by mail program in South Carolina
Ask your local election office what options are available to help you vote by mail. For example:
- Home visits by election workers who can help you complete your vote by mail ballot.
Learn more about accessible voting options in South Carolina