Early Voting Now Open in South Carolina’s Republican Presidential Preference Primary
February 14, 2024
As the clock ticks down to the Republican Presidential Preference Primary in South Carolina, voters are seizing the opportunity to cast their ballots early. The Laurens County Voter Registration & Elections office reported a surge in in-person early voting since the opening on Monday. According to Lynne West, Director of the Voter Registration & Elections office in Laurens County, “We’re encouraged to see Laurens County residents taking advantage of the option to vote early and we are here to make sure that the process runs smoothly. If anyone has questions, we are here to help.”
If you are planning to wait until Election Day, mark your calendars for Saturday, February 24, the designated day for the primary.
Early voting is a convenient option for those who want to avoid the potential rush on Election Day. Early Voting is open thru Thursday, February 22, but closed Sunday and Monday the 18 and 19 (Monday, Feb. 19 is a Federal holiday). The Voter Registration & Elections office, located at 105 Bolt Dr, Laurens, will be open for early voting from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the early voting period.
To cast your vote early, simply bring your Photo ID and follow the same process as you would at your polling place on Election Day. This allows voters to participate in the democratic process at their own convenience.
For those unable to vote in person, the option of voting absentee is available. Laurens County voters can contact the Laurens County Voter Registration & Elections office at 864-984-4431 for an absentee ballot application. This is a very secure and controlled process.
On Election Day, bring your Photo ID to your assigned polling place in your precinct. Ensure that you verify your polling place, as it may have changed since your voter registration card was issued. To check your polling place, visit scVOTES.gov and select “Find My Polling Place” under MySCVotes. Alternatively, you can contact the county voter registration office at 105 Bolt Dr, Laurens, or call 864-984-4431.
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, providing ample time for voters to participate in the primary.
South Carolina holds a significant position in the presidential primary process as the “First in the South” primary for both parties. The state’s Republican primary has historically played a crucial role in shaping the nomination process. Often considered a “firewall,” the primary aims to swiftly unite the various factions within the Republican Party behind a single candidate. Since its inception in 1980, the winner of the Republican South Carolina primary has consistently become the eventual Republican National Convention nominee for the fall’s general election, with the exception of the 2012 primary.
