South Carolina

South Carolina asks you to show photo ID to vote in person. If you can’t get an accepted photo ID, there is another way to confirm your identity.

Most voters do not need a copy of their ID to vote by mail.

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South Carolina ID Requirements for Voting In Person

South Carolina requests photo ID to vote in person. You can vote without a photo ID if you sign a Reasonable Impediment Statement and present your non-photo voter registration card.

Accepted Photo IDs

Show one of these IDs to vote a regular ballot:
Must be unexpired or show no expiration date

  • South Carolina driver’s license 
  • South Carolina state ID card  
  • US passport 
  • South Carolina voter registration card with photo 
  • Military identification
  • Veterans identification
  • South Carolina concealed weapon permit

Reasonable Impediment Statement

If you do not have one of the photo IDs listed above, you can vote by signing a reasonable impediment statement.

You must:

1️⃣ Present your non-photo voter registration card

2️⃣ Ask to complete and sign a Reasonable Impediment statement.  

A “reasonable impediment” is something you can’t control that stops you from getting an accepted photo ID. 

South Carolina accepts the following reasons:

  • lack of transportation
  • lack of birth certificate (or other necessary documents)
  • disability or illness
  • conflict with your work schedule
  • family responsibilities
  • religious objection to being photographed
  • any other obstacle you find reasonable

Check the FAQ below “What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in South Carolina?” for more info.

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Frequently Asked Questions

South Carolina voters who do not present an accepted photo ID at the polls have two options:

1️⃣ Vote with a Reasonable Impediment Statement

This option is for voters who don’t have and can’t reasonably get an accepted form of photo ID.

How to vote using a Reasonable Impediment Declaration: 

  • Bring your non-photo voter registration card
  • Tell the poll worker that you don’t have a photo ID and could not get one
  • Complete and sign a Reasonable Impediment Statement
  • Vote a provisional ballot (counted unless election commission has reason to believe your reasonable impediment statement is false)

A “reasonable impediment” is something you can’t control that stops you from getting an accepted photo ID.

South Carolina accepts the following reasons:

  • lack of transportation
  • lack of birth certificate (or other necessary documents)
  • disability or illness
  • conflict with your work schedule
  • family responsibilities
  • religious objection to being photographed
  • any other obstacle you find reasonable

2️⃣ Vote a Provisional Ballot and Return with ID 

Cast a provisional ballot if you can’t to present ID or vote under a reasonable impediment exception. Provisional ballots make sure eligible voters are not rejected at the polls.

For your provisional ballot to count, you must submit an accepted photo ID to you county’s elections office before the election is certified. This usually happens on the Thursday or Friday following Election Day.

Find your local office.

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VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

There is no guidance from the state regarding the use of digital IDs.

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VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in South Carolina.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

South Carolina ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Absentee ballots in South Carolina are only for some voters. 

Reasons you can vote by absentee ballot include:

  • Not being in your county during early voting and Election Day
  • Physical disability or illness
  • Work obligation that conflicts with polling hours during early voting and Election Day
  • Being age 65 or older 

Check the FAQ “Who can vote absentee in South Carolina?” below for the full list of reasons accepted by the state. 

You must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number when you request your ballot.

Your ballot signature must be witnessed but you do not need to include a copy of your ID.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

In South Carolina, you have to give a specific reason for voting by absentee ballot.

The following reasons are accepted:

  • Person with employment obligations that prevent you from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
  • Person attending a sick or physically disabled person, which prevents you from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
  • Person confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial, which prevents you from voting during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
  • Person who will be absent from your county of residence during early voting hours for the duration of the early voting period, and during the hours the polls are open on election day.
  • Person with physical disabilities.
  • Person 65 years of age or older.
  • Member of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, as well as your spouse and dependents residing with you.
  • Person admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election.

Learn more about procedures related to Military and Overseas Citizens.

There is no process to “cure” (fix) your ballot if it is rejected.

SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION COMISSION