Read the F*ing directions
for

Are registered to vote by October 2nd (in person), October 4th (online/email/fax), or October 5th (by mail).

Request an absentee ballot by October 23rd at 5pm.

Have a specific reason for needing to vote by mail — see the full list of who qualifies here.

Click here for information about accessible voting for folks with disabilities.

Click here for information about your eligibility if you have a criminal conviction — scroll down to the FAQs and select ‘who can register?’

Active duty military, military family member, or living overseas? You have additional voting options! Visit FVAP.GOV for details specific to your situation.

Be registered to vote by the deadline: if you want to register in person at your county board office, do so by October 2nd at 5pm (unless the board holds weekend hours). If you want to register online or send the application by email or fax, you have until 11:59pm on October 4th. Or, mail a paper application by October 5th.

Request an absentee ballot by October 23rd at 5pm. Heads up: the application is not available online. Pick it up in person, or call/write to your county’s voter registration office to request the application be mailed to you. Then send that application back so you can get your ballot. We know, we know, this is annoying. Get started early!

Exceptions for medical emergencies: if you’re hospitalized within 4 days of the election, including on Election Day, an immediate family member or authorized representative can apply for a ballot, bring it to you, and deliver it on your behalf. Call your county’s voter registration ASAP if you need to use this option — they’ll give you all the details.

Ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day — so if you’re mailing yours, we recommend putting it in the mail by October 27th to make sure it arrives by the deadline.

This is important: USPS recently changed its policies and won’t always postmark mail the same day it’s picked up from a mailbox — or even the day after. To guarantee a same-day postmark, you’ll need to go to a post office and ask for a manual postmark. All the more reason to mail things early!

Include the last 4 digits of your SSN in the designated area; if you don’t have an SSN, contact your local elections office to ask about your options.

Put your ballot in the “ballot here-in” envelope. Seal that up.

Then put that in the return envelope. Sign the back of the return envelope where indicated.

Have a witness sign the back of the return envelope where indicated. Your witness can be anyone as long as they’re 18 or older.

Drop off your ballot at a county office before 7pm on Election Day. Bring a photo ID — it’s required when dropping off a ballot in person!

If you want someone to drop off your ballot for you, they need to be an immediate family member, unless you’re physically disabled — folks with disabilities can designate anyone, as long as they’re a registered voter and not a candidate in the election. Either way, they need to fill out this authorization form and return it with your sealed envelope containing your ballot — BUT NOT INSIDE THE ENVELOPE. No one can return more than 5 ballots other than their own.

DO NOT take your ballot to your polling place on Election Day. If you do, you’ll have to surrender it and vote provisionally in person.

Or you can pop it in the mail by October 27th at the latest. No need to put a stamp on it — South Carolina pays your postage!