DECISION 2026: What to know about primary elections in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina voters will soon head to the polls in what’s already been a historic primary election.

Here’s key information to know via the South Carolina Election Commission:

WHEN IS ELECTION DAY?

June 9

WHEN ARE POLLS OPEN?

Polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Voters will be asked to present one of the following forms of photo identification to the polls:

• SC Driver’s License
• SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
  • Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
• SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
• US Passport
• Federal Military ID
  • Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Card

WHERE DO I VOTE?

You can find your polling place on the South Carolina Election Commission website.

HOW DO I CHECK MY VOTER REGISTRATION?

You can check your voter registration on the South Carolina Election Commission website.

CAN I SEE MY SAMPLE BALLOT?

You can check your sample ballot on the South Carolina Election Commission website.

CAN I BRING MY CHILD?

Yes, children under 18 are allowed to accompany their parents in the voting booth.

WHAT ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOTS?

Absentee ballots must be returned to your county voter registration office no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election.

ARE EXIT POLLS LEGAL?

Yes, exit polls are legal and participation is voluntary. They are not conducted by the South Carolina Election Commission or county boards of voter registration/elections. If you feel threatened or intimidated by a pollster, report it to your precinct’s poll clerk.

HOW CAN I FILE A COMPLAINT?

Report any concerns to a poll manager or your county voter registration and elections office as soon as possible. You can also contact the South Carolina Election Commission.

CAN CANDIDATES TAKE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS?

Yes, candidates and their representatives are allowed to give a voter a ride as long as it’s only being done to help them vote. No one can offer a voter anything of value in exchange for voting.

WHEN WILL RESULTS BE REPORTED AND VERIFIED?

WIS will report election results in real time when polls close. County election boards will determine if any provisional ballots will be counted on the Friday following the election. The South Carolina Election Commission will then certify the results, making them official.

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