COLUMBIA, S.C. — Election Day Details for 2024
Mark your calendars, Columbia! Election Day is just around the corner on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Are you ready? On this exciting day, registered voters will head to the polls to determine who will be the next President of the United States. Plus, you’ll also get a chance to vote on a variety of local positions, from school board members to state representatives in the General Election.
Check Your Registration
Before you head out to cast your vote, it’s important to make sure you’re registered and that your information is up-to-date. Unfortunately, if you haven’t registered yet, you’re out of luck for this election since South Carolina laws require residents to register at least 30 days before the election. But don’t worry, checking your voter registration status is a breeze! Just hop onto scvotes.gov and enter your details. This handy site will show you your voting precinct location and ensure everything is correct.
Update Your Address
If you’ve moved recently, it’s crucial that your address is accurate on your voter registration. Your home address decides not just where you vote, but it also impacts which races you get to participate in. If you haven’t updated your address yet, South Carolina has a nifty failsafe voting policy that allows you to update your address right on Election Day, so you can still vote. Remember, this special provision applies under certain conditions, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules.
Know Your Ballot
Every voter’s ballot can look a bit different, depending on where you live, so it’s smart to check out your sample ballot before heading to the polls. Keep in mind, you might find that your friend’s ballot looks quite different from yours even though you both live in the same state. For example, some areas will have races where all school board seats are up for election while others may not. Local tax questions might only appear in your county, but not in a neighboring one. Understanding your ballot ahead of time can really help when you’re ready to vote on election day!
Early Voting
If you can’t make it on November 5, don’t panic! Early voting kicks off on Monday, October 21, and wraps up on Saturday, November 2, with polling locations open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Not all locations can accommodate early voting, so check the specifics for the Midlands area. A few early voting spots include:
- Calhoun County Community Development Center: 101 Courthouse Dr, Suite 115 St. Matthews, SC 29135
- Richland County Voter Registration: 2020 Hampton St Columbia, SC 29204
- University of South Carolina Blatt PE Center: 1300 Wheat St, Columbia, SC 29201
- And many more!
Fabulous, right? For a complete list of early voting locations, just visit that scvotes.gov site again.
Absentee Voting
If you know you can’t be there in person on Election Day, remember that you can request an absentee ballot. But be sure to do this before 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25. As of 2022, absentee requests can’t be made online or by email, so your best bet is to call, visit, or send your request through the good old U.S. Mail. Include your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number to get the ball rolling.
Voting Day Hints
On Election Day, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.. When you go to vote, don’t forget to bring a current and valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, DMV-issued photo ID, or a passport. If you happen to forget it, you can still cast a provisional ballot, but you’ll need to show your ID before your vote counts, so keep that in mind!
Final Thoughts
Everyone in our great state has the opportunity to vote for President, regardless of where you live. And let’s not forget: if you’re in line when the polls close at 7 p.m., you’ll be allowed to vote!
So, Columbia, it’s time to gear up for the big day! Make your voice heard and enjoy the process of participating in this vital civic duty.
