Voting in South Carolina, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in South Carolina through Saturday, October 31.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

Mon, Oct 5 · passed
Registration deadline
Mailed registrations postmarked by Monday October 5, 2026 count, since the 30-day deadline falls on a Sunday.¹
Mon, Oct 19 · passed
Early voting begins
Fri, Oct 23 · passed
Last day for mail ballot applications
Absentee applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026, 11 days before Election Day.¹
Sat, Oct 31 · 4 days
Early voting ends
Early voting runs from Monday October 19 through Saturday October 31, 2026.¹
Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
Election Day; Mail ballots must arrive
Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.¹
Sat, Nov 7 · 11 days
County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
Counties canvass no later than noon on the Saturday following the election, November 7.²
Fri, Nov 13 · 17 days
State canvass; State certification
The state board convenes within 10 days of the election, by November 13, and may adjourn up to 15 days to await returns.²
After certification
Deadline to contest the result
A protest or contest must be filed by noon within five days after the canvass for that office or later than the 25th day following receipt of the protest. No end date is specified.³

Questions people ask about voting in South Carolina

Q. When does early voting end in South Carolina?

Early voting runs from Monday October 19 through Saturday October 31, 2026.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in South Carolina?

Mailed registrations postmarked by Monday October 5, 2026 count, since the 30-day deadline falls on a Sunday.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in South Carolina?

Absentee applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday October 23, 2026, 11 days before Election Day.

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in South Carolina?

Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in South Carolina, and by when?

County officials meet on the Friday after the election to canvass the results and send them to the State Election Commission by the next day. County/Local results must be certified by Saturday, November 7, 2026. The State Election Commission canvasses the state and federal results within 10 days of the election and must finish and certify within 15 days. The state board convenes within 10 days of the election, by November 13, and may adjourn day to day for a term not exceeding 15 days

Q. What happens after the count in South Carolina, and when is there a recount?

A recount takes place (automatic) when the difference in votes between the declared winning candidate and another candidate is no less than 1 % of the total votes cast for the office. (7-17-280)

Q. How long is there to contest an election in South Carolina?

A protest or contest must be filed by noon within five days after the canvass for that office or later than the 25th day following receipt of the protest. No end date is specified.

Sources

Vote.org, South Carolina Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/south-carolina/
NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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