South Carolina voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

South Carolina voter registration closes Oct 2 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.

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Every date

Friday, October 2, 2026
Voter registration deadline (in person)

Register in person at your county voter registration office by 5 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2026, unless your county board holds weekend hours.

Sunday, October 4, 2026
Voter registration deadline (online)

Register online (or by fax or email) by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Monday, October 5, 2026
Voter registration deadline (by mail)

Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, October 5, 2026 (the 30-day deadline falls on a Sunday, so the postmark deadline moves to Monday).

Monday, October 19, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026
Early voting

Early voting starts Monday, October 19, 2026 at county early voting centers, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Last day of early voting is Saturday, October 31, 2026, until 6 p.m. Closed Sunday, October 25. No excuse needed. Statewide dates and hours (Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday Oct 25) at any early voting center in your county. Photo ID required.

Friday, October 23, 2026
Last day to request a mail ballot

Your completed absentee ballot application must reach your county voter registration and elections office by 5 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026 (in person or by mail). Mail absentee voting is only for voters who meet a qualifying reason.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Mail ballot return deadline

Absentee ballots must be RECEIVED by your county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The state advises mailing at least one week early. Photo ID required if returning in person.

How voting works in South Carolina

Three DIFFERENT registration deadlines: in person Fri Oct 2 at 5 p.m. (unless county has weekend hours), online/fax/email Sun Oct 4 at 11:59 p.m., mail postmarked by Mon Oct 5. Absentee-by-mail requires a qualifying reason (e.g., work obligations or caring for a sick person that prevent voting during early voting and on Election Day); early in-person voting is open to everyone. Military/overseas ballots accepted through 5 p.m. Nov 5. The SEC calendar PDF is labeled 'Draft' (dated August 31, 2026) but matches the SEC's voter-facing 2026 prep page.

What we could not confirm

We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:

Where these came from

Every date above was read from the South Carolina election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.

https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-31-Election-Calendar-Draft-scVOTES_.pdf

October 4 11:59 p.m. Deadline to register to vote online or by fax or email for General Election.

https://scvotes.gov/voters/2026prep/

Ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Ballots should be mailed no later than one week prior to Election Day to help ensure timely delivery.

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