Prep for the Polls: What Georgetown County voters need to know ahead of the June 9 primaries

The 2026 midterm election cycle is officially kicking into high gear, and Georgetown County voters are preparing to head to the polls. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, South Carolina will hold its statewide primary elections, narrowing down the partisan fields for crucial federal, state, and local offices ahead of the November 3 General Election.

Because South Carolina operates an open primary system, voters do not register by political party. Any registered voter can cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary—but you may only vote in one.

What’s on the Ballot?

Georgetown County voters will see a mix of high-profile national seats, state executive leadership, and local county representation. Partisan offices facing a primary challenge on June 9 include:

Federal & State-Level Races

• Federal: U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives (District 7)

• State Executive: Governor and Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Comptroller General, State Treasurer, State Superintendent of Education, and Commissioner of Agriculture.

• State Legislature: State House of Representatives District 103.

• Judicial: Solicitor Circuit 15.

Local Georgetown County Races

While nonpartisan offices like the School Board and Soil and Water District Commission won’t appear until November, several county leadership seats are on the ticket. Most notably, localized primary battles like the Republican primary for County Council District 6 (featuring candidates Stella Mercado and Bill Ringer) highlight the local stakes of this primary.

Key Voter Deadlines & Logistics

While the formal voter registration deadlines closed in early May, voters should ensure their registration is current and plan their trip to the polls.

Early Voting Information

If you want to bypass the Election Day lines, early voting is already underway. The window runs from May 26 through June 5, operating Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Georgetown County features four dedicated Early Vote Centers:

• Andrews Recreation Center – 220 S. Cedar Ave., Andrews, SC 29510
• Choppee Recreation Center – 8259 Choppee Rd., Georgetown, SC 29440
• Waccamaw Recreation Center – 83 Duncan Ave., Pawleys Island, SC 29585
• Office of Elections & Voter Registration – 303 N. Hazard St., Georgetown, SC 29440

Election Day Polling

On Tuesday, June 9, traditional precincts across the county will open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Any voter in line by 7:00 p.m. will be permitted to vote. South Carolina law requires a valid photo ID to cast a ballot. Acceptable forms of identification include an SC Driver’s License, an SC DMV ID Card, a voter registration card with a photo, a Federal Military ID, or a US Passport.

Local primaries often see lower turnout than presidential cycles, meaning every single vote carries immense weight in shaping who represents Georgetown County.

Before heading out, voters can view their specific Democratic or Republican Sample Ballots or check their polling precinct location online via SC Votes.