South Carolina early voting surges ahead of primary election

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — Voter turnout is surging across South Carolina as the primary approaches, with more than 100,000 voters already casting their ballots early.

Election officials say participation is on track to be especially strong this year, with more voters expected before the week is over.

South Carolinians have already cast nearly 30% of the total number of primary ballots that were cast in 2024, and early voting isn’t over yet.

The South Carolina State Election Commission says voters cast more than 151,000 ballots last week. In the first week of 2024 early voting, voters cast 120,000 ballots.

Across the entire 2024 primary season, including runoffs, voters cast 527,000 ballots total. Nearly 3.4 million South Carolinians are registered to vote.

Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week. There is no early voting on Monday, June 8, and primary day is Tuesday, June 9. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Elections Director Conway Belangia said the numbers should only continue to grow.

“We always feel that as we get closer to that last day of voting early that our numbers will increase,” Belangia said. “If that happens then again we’re looking at just phenomenal numbers.”

Richland, Charleston and Greenville counties are leading the state in voter turnout.