Will S.C. shatter early voting records like neighboring states?
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolinians can now head to the polls to cast their ballots for the November election.
The state’s early voting period kicked off Monday – and it goes through the next two weeks.
In addition to the presidential race – every seat at the State House is up for election.
Key things to know as early voting begins in South Carolina
Early voting will run from Oct. 21 until Nov. 2. from 8:30 in the morning until 6 p.m. Find out everything else you need to know about the election.
South Carolina voters won’t see any statewide races this year – but there will be one statewide referendum, plus seats for the U.S. House of Representatives and local races likely on their ballots, as well.
“A presidential election brings high turnout, so we are preparing for the absolute highest turnout, and that way, we will be ready for whatever it actually is,” said John Michael Catalano of the South Carolina Election Commission.
AIKEN COUNTY EARLY VOTING:
- Aiken County elections office, 1930 University Parkway Suite 1200, Aiken
- North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta
- Aiken County Roy Warner Park, 4287 Festival Trail Road, Wagener
- O’Dell Weeks Recreational Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, Aiken
For other locations. visit https://scvotes.gov.
Voters in Georgia and North Carolina have already shattered early voting records – and lines stretched outside voting centers in some parts of South Carolina on the first day of early voting Monday.
This is the first presidential election since the enactment of a 2022 state law to establish South Carolina’s no-excuse early voting period.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the highest early voting turnout in one day at some point during the early voting period, and then I would expect that the total early voting period will be higher than any other election,” Catalano said.
CLYBURN CASTS VOTE:
- As South Carolinians prepare for early voting ahead of one of the most historic presidential races, Congressman James Clyburn has submitted his vote on Monday in Orangeburg County. The congressman voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Clyburn, a long-time er of President Joe Biden and Harris, cast his vote at 9:30 a.m. at the Vance Senior Center.
Every county has at least one early voting location open to all ed voters who live there – but some have multiple – and as many as seven.
You can vote early, in person for the next two weeks – from Monday through the Saturday before Election Day – excluding Sunday, Oct. 27.
All early voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“It’s a very smooth, easy, and secure process,” Catalano said.
Voters need to show a photo ID to cast their ballot.
“It is typically a quicker process because you’re spreading out the voting across two weeks rather than confining it to a 12-hour period on Election Day,” Catalano said. “So yes, lines do typically tend to be lower for early voting.”
Of course, voters can cast their ballot in person on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Eligible voters have until this Friday to request a mail-in absentee ballot – but state law requires they meet certain criteria to do that – like being 65 and older or having work obligations that prevent them from voting in person.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
