Vote in South Carolina's Presidential Preference Primary

Primary dates different for each party

Unlike many other states, South Carolina does not require voters to register with any particular party. Voters simply need to register to vote to be eligible to vote in the primary of their choice. Note, however, voters may only vote in one party’s Presidential Preference Primary.

The Republican Presidential Preference Primary is set for this Saturday, February 20. The Democratic Presidential Preference Primary is a week later, scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2016. Vote at your regular polling place.

If you have not already registered to vote, it is now too late to register to vote in either the Republican or Democratic Preferential Preference Primary.

If you are a registered voter, go out and vote! This year’s Iowa Caucus proves how important every vote is – the race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders was so close that they actually picked the winner by a coin flip in some caucus precincts.

Absentee voting in person at county elections office

There is still time to vote absentee. You can vote in person at your county elections office on the following schedule: For the Republican Primary up until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 19; for the Democratic Primary up until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 26.

Absentee voting by mail

Absentee ballots may also be cast by mail. It is now too late to request a ballot by mail for the Republican Primary but, if you have an absentee ballot there is still time to file it. You can still request a ballot and vote by mail in the Democratic Primary by following these procedures:

Step 1: Get an absentee application in one of two ways: Get the application online at scVOTES.org or request an application from your county elections office by phone, mail, email, or fax. You will be mailed an application.

Step 2: Complete and sign the application and return it to your county elections office by mail, fax, or email as soon as possible and no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before each primary (still time for the Democratic Primary).

Step 3: Receive your absentee ballot in the mail and vote the ballot following the instructions.

Step 4: Return the ballot to your county elections office in person or by mail no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the primary.