Polling locations across South Carolina will open today at 7 a.m. Voter participation is expected to be lower due to the local nature of the elections, which include several mayoral races in the Lowcountry.
Key Local Elections in South Carolina
Citizens will cast their votes for mayors in various municipalities, including:
- Mount Pleasant
- Folly Beach
- Isle of Palms
- Sullivan’s Island
- Lincolnville
Voter Registration and Turnout Expectations
More than 3.35 million residents are registered to vote across the state. Here’s the breakdown of registered voters in the Tri-County area:
| County | Registered Voters |
|---|---|
| Charleston County | 272,000 |
| Berkeley County | 155,000 |
| Dorchester County | 105,000 |
| Greenville County | 341,000 |
| Allendale County | 4,000 |
Election officials project that around 20% of registered voters will participate, primarily due to the lack of major statewide races.
Importance of Local Elections
Isaac Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections, expressed the importance of municipal elections. “Although these races don’t make national headlines, they significantly impact our daily lives,” he stated. He encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with the candidates.
Voting Requirements and Accessibility
To vote, individuals must present a photo ID. A Real ID is not mandatory. Additionally, the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections requires absentee ballots to be submitted by 7 p.m.
Polling locations are equipped with accessibility features, including:
- Accessible parking
- Doorways and paths
- Railings
Voters with disabilities can receive assistance during the voting process. However, they must inform a poll manager if they require help. They can choose anyone to assist them, except for their employer or union representatives.
Curbside voting is an option for those over 65 or with disabilities. Poll managers will check on voters every 15 minutes to provide assistance as needed. Polling hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information on polling locations and candidate details, residents can visit scvotes.gov.
