Check your voter registration, find your polling place, check your absentee ballot, get your sample ballot and more: www.scvotes.gov
Do not expect results to be in the newspaper on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Find all of The Sumter Item’s election coverage, including results as they come in: www.theitem.com/election2020
This article originally ran in The Sumter Item’s Oct. 17-19, 2020, Weekend Edition newspaper. To read the entire 16-page special pullout Vote 2020 section, click here.
It’s important to be informed and prepared before heading to the polls. Here are some frequently asked questions about voting in South Carolina that will help you make the process easier.
When are polls open on Election Day?
Polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
What are election officials doing to protect voters at polling places and inperson absentee voting sites from COVID-19?
The South Carolina Election Commission and county election officials are taking steps to make in-person voting as safe as possible for voters and poll managers:
What do I take with me to the polls to vote?
When voting in person, you will be asked to show one of the following photo IDs:
What happens if I have a photo ID but forget to bring it to my polling place?
You may vote a provisional ballot that will count only if you show your photo ID to your county elections once prior to certification of the election (on Friday after the general election).
What is South Carolina’s new voting system, and how does it work?
South Carolina has been using the ExpressVote ballot-marking system in all elections since Oct. 1, 2019. After checking in at your polling place, you will be given a blank ballot and be directed to an ExpressVote.
How is the ballot order determined for candidates and political parties?
Candidates for partisan offices appear on the ballot in party order. Party order rotates every two years at the time of the general election. When party order rotates, the party that was previously first in the order moves to the bottom of the list. “Petition” is included in this party rotation so that the place for petition candidates rotates with the parties. Multiple petition candidates are ordered alphabetically by last name.
Candidates for nonpartisan offices are ordered alphabetically by last name. The write-in space always appears last in the list of candidates for a particular office.
How does straight party voting work?
Whether to vote “Straight Party” is the first choice a voter must make on a general election ballot. Voting
straight party is optional. Each political party that has nominated a candidate appearing on the voter’s ballot
is represented in the straight party selection area. If a party is selected under straight party, every candidate
of that party is automatically selected. Voters have the option of overriding the straight party vote for any one office by voting for a candidate other than the party’s nominee (also known as “crossover voting”). While the “crossover” vote will override the straight party selection for that particular office, the straight party selection will continue to apply to all other offices for which no selection was made. Voters should be aware that a straight party selection does not apply to nonpartisan offices and questions. These contests must be voted individually. As always, voters should carefully review their choices on the review screen before casting their ballot.
Is there a write-in option for president and vice president?
No.
When is a recount necessary?
When the difference between any winning candidate and any other non-winning candidate is 1% or less of the total votes cast for all candidates for that office.
Are “ballot selfies” legal? Can I take a picture of my ballot and share it with others?
No. State law prohibits anyone from showing their ballot to another person. The use of cameras is not allowed inside the voting booth.
I saw a candidate/member of candidate’s campaign at my polling place talking to voters. Is that allowed?
Yes, but there are restrictions:
A candidate is definitely campaigning while in the polling place, or there is campaign material within 200 feet of the entrance. What can I do?
Inform the poll clerk immediately. If the issue is not resolved, contact the county elections office. The board will address the complaint.
Can candidates or their representatives take people to the polls to vote?
Yes. It is permissible for any person, even a candidate, to give a voter a ride as long as it is being done solely to help facilitate voting. However, no one can give a voter anything of value in exchange for voting.
Where can I report an issue or file a complaint about the election?
Any issues or complaints regarding a polling place on Election Day should first be addressed to the poll managers. Poll managers may be able to quickly resolve the issue. If not resolved at the polling place, or if the issue or complaint is regarding some other aspect of the election, voters should contact their county elections office.
Do employers have to give you time off to vote?
No. There is no state or federal law mandating that employers give time off to employees to vote. Voters who know they will not be able to visit the polls on Election Day should vote absentee before the election.
(Source: South Carolina Election Commission)