South Carolina early voting qualifications

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South Carolina early voting qualifications

By NBC Augusta Staff

Story Published: Oct 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 21, 2008 at 9:32 AM EST

Registered voters can vote early in Aiken Monday October 13th at the Kalmia Mall on Richland Avenue.

To vote early you must meet one of the following criteria:

-Students, their spouses and dependents residing with them

-Members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees, their spouses and dependents residing with them

-Overseas citizens

-For reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day

-Physically disabled persons

-Persons on vacation

-Persons age 65 or older

-Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election or at least four days prior to the election

-Electors with a death or funeral in the family within 3 days before the election

-Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial

-Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons

-Persons serving as jurors in a state or federal court on election day

-Certified poll watchers and poll managers

Monday, Nov 3 at 11:43 AM concerned too wrote ...

Nick!! You are part of the problem! MOve if you do not like SC. There is I-85 heading north anytime you want to go. Or better yet buy ticket to moldova and see how you like it there. I have been there and it is not anywhere as nice as USA. You are lucky and do not even know it. Cry Cry !!

Monday, Nov 3 at 11:23 AM Judith Kopfman@aol.com wrote ...

I agree with AM Franklin who wrote about S.C. being so backwards. THINK: Because of the people we elect. Other parts of the country do handle this well and for the most part are able to accommodate the voters without all of the hype and stress. This election process has already given this country enough.

Monday, Nov 3 at 11:02 AM Josh wrote ...

Although Dan obviously does not understand that people are handicapped, elderly, or simply believe that it is convenient to allow early voting, I will say that some form of standards for voting is not a bad idea. Reading could be one of them, to go hand-in-hand with speaking ENGLISH! This election is going to be decided by the overwhelmingly uneducated youth of this country who do not understand what the ramifications of their vote may be either way. Very sad.

Sunday, Nov 2 at 4:01 AM Carolyn M. wrote ...

Due to the high interest and probability that there will be a huge volume of voters, we should be allowed to vote early in SC. I suggest opening the precincts on Monday, Nov 3, 2008 to allow anyone registered to vote then. It will cut down on long lines on Nov. 4 and allow EVERYONE to vote. I have knee and back problems and will find it extremely difficult to stand in line for two or three hours to vote on Election Day. You should have better planning in SC.

Friday, Oct 31 at 3:53 PM GeorgenHorry wrote ...

Lets let this election be decided by people like dan who'd be happy with a fascist good ole boy system. lol anyways why cant we choose to cast our ballots early without the worry of restrictions or better yet the possibility of your vote not counting.I would agree that it would put less of a burden on our current system. Thats just my opinion of course

Thursday, Oct 30 at 11:36 PM Melinda wrote ...

when ismthe last day to vote early/absentee in SC?

Thursday, Oct 30 at 10:08 AM Tim wrote ...

Early Voting should only be used when there is no other option. Those that use early voting when they are not eligible run the risk of having their vote disqualified. The most common error is voting early because you work on election day but the rules state that you must be unavailable the entire time the polls are open do to work and you must provide proof from your employer. If these standards are not met at time of post election audits the vote may be rejected.

Wednesday, Oct 29 at 9:18 PM Concern Voter wrote ...

Where can we vote in Cheraw S.C. early?

Wednesday, Oct 29 at 4:23 PM Saad wrote ...

Mel some people may have a lot of work to do and do not have time to stand in line... Why not vote early? Maybe you have all the time in the world...

Wednesday, Oct 29 at 2:27 PM saad wrote ...

where should I go to cast my vote by early voting. I live in greenville south carolina. plz help me out.

Monday, Oct 27 at 12:22 PM Mel wrote ...

Early voting in GA was great! Short lines and I think it helps to get more people out to vote. I think every state should have this for everyone.

Sunday, Oct 26 at 2:29 PM Marc wrote ...

The biggest advantage to early voting as far as I can see is that it would lessen the strain on the system on election day. I haven't heard a good reason yet why this is a bad idea.

Sunday, Oct 26 at 7:40 AM Nick wrote ...

SC is a backward state as far as early voting. The Republican party is the cause.

Saturday, Oct 25 at 4:35 PM PTLady wrote ...

Dan, Dan, Dan, you must be very young to assume that the only reason that you don't want to wait in line is because you are lazy. wait until your knees go and your back goes...then we'll see who is lazy!!!

Friday, Oct 24 at 11:00 PM Dan wrote ...

So... you want early voting?? How early?? Two weeks before the first Tuesday in November? How about three weeks before?? How about 4 weeks before??? What difference will it make??? Are you so lazy to get off your fat butt and wait in line like everyone else?? It would be so much better to not have the people vote at all.. they are not smart enough to vote anyhow! Think abut how easy it would be if it was a law that you had to own land to be able to vote... or that you had to be able to read??

Thursday, Oct 23 at 12:33 PM J.Wilson wrote ...

You have to VOTE IN YOUR DISTRICT!!!! If you live in Spartanburg you vote in Spartanburg. Call 803-896-0000 ask for your Counties Voter Registration office. Please call and find out were you need to go to vote.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 12:26 PM Bob Anty wrote ...

This is absurb! Why should we have to wait so long to vote. You be able to vote whenever. Every one can not get Aiken. Everyone don't have transportation. Everyone can't wait. I need to vote immediately.

Thursday, Oct 23 at 11:07 AM average american wrote ...

Not allowing early voting is a way to keep the current politicians in power. I suggest that we vote the whole lot of them out of office and get some forward thinking people into office. This state is so poor -- and is kept poor-- by the current establishment. Use your vote!!

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 10:56 PM lonelle wrote ...

I think that it is a real shame that they say you need to get out and vote,but they make it so hard for you to vote.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 10:16 PM TK3 wrote ...

absentee ballots helps the powers that be figure how many votes they need to get to the polls. If a important-race is close the outcome can be rigged. Make no mistake about it, vote for either a Republican or Democrat Presidential candidate this election and YOU will be basically voting for a Neo~fascist or a socialist! I suggest take a blue pill, smell the coffee then vote for some 3rd Party you can relate to as that really ticks off the D&R power brokers.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 6:51 PM Richard Craig wrote ...

It is a shame that during this highly intense election cycle, where there is likely to be overwhelming burdens being placed on polling places, that South Carolina doesn' t allow an automatic right to vote early. South Carolina has been at the forefront of freedom since the American Revolution. She has lost many sons in daughters in wars from the Revolution, to War for Southern Independence, to the current tragedy in Iraq. It is time we were allowed to vote early, as they do in other states.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 12:14 PM Reuben J. Gadsden wrote ...

The South Carolina needs to do two (2) things, 1. allow SC redidents to register to vote up to the election, showing proper ID, and voting early will no restrictions.

Wednesday, Oct 22 at 11:35 AM Jan McCollom wrote ...

It is incredible how much misinformation is circulated surrounding the voting process. The only "early" voting allowed in South Carolina is by absentee ballot--if you qualify. You must still vote in the county where you are registered. This site serves the Aiken/Augusta area, so their news is targeted for local residents. PLEASE go to the SC State Election Commission site for accurate answers to ALL SC voting related questions: http://www.scvotes.org/south_carolina_voting_information_page

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 1:46 PM sara boucher wrote ...

they want long lines on nov. 4th so people will get frustrated and go home. How can we bring democracy to other nations and deny it in our own?

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 12:46 PM AJ wrote ...

Ann Davis -- Please see http://scvotes.org/ for full information about your question. According to that site, "Straight party voting applies to President and all other partisan offices on the ballot." So yes, voting a straight ticket does include a vote for President.

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 11:51 AM Meg in Irmo wrote ...

If a person is admitted to the emergency room as a patient on the day of the election, how would that have a crystal ball to know to vote before they had that emergency? Think about it! Also, is there any early voting place in Irmo, SC...Richland County, 29063

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 10:32 AM Jackie wrote ...

You mean to tell me, my handicap mother has to come all the way from conway to Aiken to early vote. That is ridiculous.

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 8:16 AM Ann Davis wrote ...

I've read that straight ticket voting in S.C. does not include a vote for the president. Is this true?

Tuesday, Oct 21 at 12:15 AM Donna wrote ...

South Carolina needs to catch up with the rest of the country.

Monday, Oct 20 at 6:57 PM joe doe wrote ...

where can you go to vote early? living in Richland northeast 29229

Monday, Oct 20 at 10:33 AM Domingo Jesus Roges wrote ...

Can I get a ballot to vote before November 4th? Could it be mailed to me, or find it in the internet? Domingo Jesus Roges

Monday, Oct 20 at 9:28 AM franklin wrote ...

S.C. is so BACKWARD. Why did I leave N.C.?

Sunday, Oct 19 at 12:19 PM Connie Porter wrote ...

How is it possible for a 80 year old senior citizen living in Spartanburg to get to Aikens to vote. Is there anyplace in Spartanburg they can vote early?

Friday, Oct 17 at 12:34 PM michelle sterling wrote ...

This is crazy that N.C can vote early,what's the big deal!We should all be allowed to vote at our polls early for what ever reason,this is a shame that N.C can handle this situation for it's residents and S.C remains behind as usual.

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