Early Voting and Absentee Voting – What You Need to Know Before the Midterm Elections

 Voting in South Carolina changed when the new election law was signed on May 13 of this year.

“The law is designed to strengthen our elections in South Carolina by making it harder to cheat and helping to standardize county elections across the state,” said Representative Stewart Jones. “I am proud of the work our state has done to secure our elections, which has made South Carolina one of the most secure states for voting and ranked among the highest in the country for election integrity.”

Here is what you need to know about Early Voting and Absentee Voting.

Early Voting:

Early voting in South Carolina begins on Monday, October 24 and ends on Saturday, November 5. To vote early in Laurens County, voters must bring their photo ID to the Laurens County Election Commission office (105 Bolt Drive – the old Winn Dixie Building). Those voting early will cast a ballot just like they do on election day.

The Laurens County Voter Registration and Elections office will be open for early voting 8:30 am – 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, from October 24 through November 5.

“We are excited to offer early voting in South Carolina,” said Lynne West, Director of Voter Registration and Elections for Laurens County. “Hopefully the extend hours, which include two Saturdays, will enable anyone who would like to cast their ballot early to do so.”

Absentee Voting:

All absentee voting is now by mail only. Mail Absentee applications must be returned to the Voter Registration and Election office no later than Friday, Oct 28.

The qualifying reasons for voting absentee have changed and are limited to the list below.

Voters Qualified to Vote Absentee:

1. Persons with employment obligations which prevent them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
2. Persons attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
3. Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
4. 4. Persons who will be absent from their county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
5. Persons with physical disabilities.
6. Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
7. Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.
8. Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election.

If you have questions regarding the process or any other information related to voting you can call the Laurens County Voter Registration and Election office at 864-984-4431.