The Race to Replace Graham: Key Dates in South Carolina’s Senate Special Primary
July 13, 2026
South Carolina election officials have released the schedule of dates and deadlines for the 2026 special primary that will set the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Graham, who died July 11 at 71, had won the state’s June Republican primary for the seat before his death. Because he was the party’s nominee for the Nov. 3 general election, the South Carolina Republican Party must now choose a replacement through the special primary and, if necessary, a runoff.
The following dates and deadlines apply, according to the state’s election calendar:
- Candidate filing opens: noon Tuesday, July 21
- Candidate filing closes: noon Tuesday, July 28
- Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot: July 31
- Early voting for the special primary: Aug. 5, 6 and 7
- Statewide special primary: Tuesday, Aug. 11
- Early voting for the special primary runoff: Aug. 19, 20 and 21
- Statewide special primary runoff, if necessary: Tuesday, Aug. 25
- County certification: Thursday, Aug. 27
- State certification: Friday, Aug. 28
The winner of the special primary process will represent the party on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, and the victor in that race will serve a full six-year Senate term. Voters with questions about registration, absentee ballots or polling locations can contact their county election office or the South Carolina Election Commission.
