Early voting underway across SC, available weekdays through October 31st

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) —  Early voting began Monday across South Carolina, with voters casting their ballots ahead of the upcoming Municipal Election Day on November 4th.

Early voting centers will remain open on weekdays through October 31st — from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting centers will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Early voting is still a fairly new experience for South Carolinians according to Sydni Bain with the SC Election Commission.

“The 1st time SC had early voting was in 2022, and we are continuing to improve that process for citizens. I know we saw large turnout in our general election, so we’re just encouraging voters to go out there and register to vote and vote early,” says Bain.

Voters will need to show a valid photo ID, which includes a SC driver’s license or DMV identification card, U.S. passport, a voter registration card that has a photo, or a federal military ID.

“Voting local is important because you’re voting on the issues that impact your daily life. You’re voting on issues that impact the roads you drive on, the schools your kids go to, even the money that’s in your pocket — all those decisions are made in your local elections. So it’s important that you get out there and make your voice heard,” says Bain.

Not every municipality across SC has an election this year, so be sure to check before heading to the polls.

“You can find a copy of your sample ballot at www.scvotes.gov. You would then go to find my sample ballot or find my voting locations. And then you’ll select that option and from there you’ll be able to see your sample ballot, your voting locations, and if you have an early voting center as well,” she says.

And if you aren’t planning on voting early, absentee voting is still an option for qualified voters — or you can always head to the polls on municipal election day on Tuesday, November 4th.

To view your sample ballot, click here.

To find your polling place, click here.

For more information on early voting, click here.

For more information on absentee voting, click here.

For more information on Municipal Election Day, click here.

For photo ID requirements, click here.