New law lets all in S.C. vote absentee in June primary

Voters can request ballot because of virus state of emergency this election

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Any registered voter in South Carolina can now vote absentee in the June 9 statewide primary and runoff elections.

While traditionally state law gives 18 ways to be eligible to vote absentee - the only way to vote before Election Day because South Carolina has no official early voting - Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law Wednesday a bill allowing anyone to do so next month.

Both chambers of the state Legislature passed the proposal on Tuesday to ensure no one will be forced to vote in person for the primaries because of COVID-19.

According to The Associated Press, the narrowly tailored law only applies to this year's primaries. Lawmakers said they will consider in the summer or early fall if changes need to be made for November's elections.

Voters requesting an absentee ballot by mail or at an in-person location can select "State of Emergency" for the no-reason absentee ballot, South Carolina Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire said.

Election officials have also been given $15 million for safety at the polls, according to AP. They plan to use the money to hire additional poll workers and get them protective equipment like masks, face shields and gloves as well as adding sneeze guards, hand sanitizer and cotton swabs to use on the touchscreen machines.

Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties have a handful of Democratic and Republican races at the local, state and national level, and voters can cast ballots in person on any weekday leading up to the election.

Pat Jefferson, director of Sumter County Voter Registration and Elections, previously said precautions are being implemented to help protect her office staff, voters and eventually poll workers from spreading the virus.

You can vote in the office at the old courthouse downtown or curbside. Doors are locked, and voters are asked to call a number posted outside to let staff know you're there. They will then come out and open the door, Jefferson said.

Voters are asked to bring their own pens, though a pen will be provided if you don't have one. Wear a mask if you have one.

Staff members are wearing gloves and masks, and there are protective shields and disinfectant spray.

Jefferson said to have your photo ID ready and to tell them your reason for eligibility. You will then be given a ballot to fill out.

She said staff is cleaning the area after everyone leaves, and everyone will be asked to stand 6 feet away from each other.

In South Carolina, you do not have to declare a party. However, you can only vote in one party's primary, and you will be asked when you arrive what ballot you want. There are sample ballots available to look at before choosing what party you want to vote in.

Any potential runoffs will be on June 23 for races where there are more than two candidates and no candidate receives 50% of the votes plus one vote.

Jefferson said poll workers are needed to volunteer on June 9.

"We lost quite a few because most are seniors and have some health issues, so they won't be working with us this time," she said.

She said the state has supplied county voter registration offices with gloves and masks, as well as disinfectant spray and social distancing signs.

June 9's primary includes candidates in Sumter for coroner, seats 1 and 5 for county council, District 64 for the state House of Representatives, District 36 for state Senate as well as Democratic challengers vying to face U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in November and three Republicans challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham next month.

To find your polling location based on your address, go to www.scvotes.org.

One polling change has been made in Sumter County: the Mulberry precinct will now be voting at the North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St.

Filing for nonpartisan races, which includes Sumter City Council, mayor and Sumter's school board, will open on July 15 at noon. Those races do not have primaries and will be on the ballot in November.

Vote absentee in person at the county voter registration office at 141 N. Main St. between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.