Early voting opens Wednesday for U.S. Senate runoff
August 17, 2026
Three days at the election office in Laurens, then regular precincts on Aug. 25
Laurens County voters have three days of early voting ahead of the Aug. 25 special Republican primary runoff for South Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Early voting: one location, three days
Early voting takes place at one location only: the Laurens County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 105 Bolt Drive in Laurens. The office is open for early voting Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There is no Saturday early voting for this election. Voters do not need an excuse to vote early, but they must bring a valid photo ID.
Election day: back to regular precincts, with two changes
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, voting returns to regular precinct polling places, which are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Two Laurens County precincts are using temporary locations because school is in session. Hickory Tavern Precinct voters will report to Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church instead of Hickory Tavern School, and Wattsville Precinct voters will report to The Ridge of Laurens instead of Ford Elementary School. All other precincts will vote at their usual polling places.
The runoff pits Sen. Darline Graham of Lexington against U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill. Neither cleared the majority needed to win outright in the Aug. 11 special primary, which drew a field of 10 candidates. Graham finished first statewide with about 33 percent of the vote and Norman second with about 25 percent, narrowly edging U.S. Rep. Russell Fry. Norman was the top vote getter in Laurens County, collecting 1,864 votes, or 34.3 percent of ballots cast locally.
The special primary was called after the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham on July 11 left both his seat and his spot on the November ballot vacant. Darline Graham, his sister, was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of the current term. The winner of the runoff will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot against Democrat Annie Andrews.
Who is eligible to vote
Not every registered voter can participate. Under state law, voters who cast a ballot in the June Democratic primary may not vote in the special Republican primary runoff. Voters who participated in the June Republican primary, who voted in the Aug. 11 special Republican primary, or who did not vote in either party’s June primary are eligible.
Voters who are unsure of their precinct, polling place or eligibility can check their registration and sample ballot through the state Election Commission’s online voter portal or by contacting the Laurens County Voter Registration and Elections Office.
Runoff turnout in South Carolina typically falls well below primary turnout, which means each ballot carries more weight. Three days at the election office, plus a full day at the polls next Tuesday, give Laurens County residents ample opportunity to have a say in who represents them.
