Absentee Voting

How to Vote Absentee

Check status of absentee ballot

Absentee Qualifications

Important Reminders

Federal Voting Assistant Program (Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act)

Lifecycle of an Absentee Ballot

How to Vote Absentee

1. Request an application for an absentee ballot.

   You can request an absentee ballot by:

   • Phone: Call our office at (843) 744-VOTE (8683) Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
   • In Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
   • Mail: Send a completed form for an absentee ballot application or a request that includes your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your SSN to:
   PO Box 71419
   North Charleston, SC 29415

   Absentee Application Request Form

   For primary election requests, please indicate which party’s ballot you would like to receive.

2. Return your application.

   Applications must be returned to our office by 5:00PM 11 days prior to the election.

   • In Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
   • Mail: Return your application to:
   PO Box 71419
   North Charleston, SC 29415

3. Receive and fill out your ballot.

   Ballots will be sent out approximately 30 days prior to an election or as applications are received within 30 days.

4. Return your ballot.

   Ballots must be received by 7:00PM on Election Day. Ballots can be returned by mail or to our office or any Early Voting Center.

   • Mail: Mail your ballot to:
   PO Box 71419
   North Charleston, SC 29415

   OR

   Find your closest USPS Post Office or USPS Mailbox and mail your ballot with no postage required. USPS Locator.

   • In Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
   • On Election Day: Our office will be open 7:00AM – 7:00PM.
   • Early Voting Centers: Early Voting Center dates and hours vary by election. Visit our Early Voting Page for more information.
   • USPS: Find your closest USPS Post Office or USPS Mailbox and mail your ballot with no postage required. USPS Locator.

Absentee Qualifications

• Persons with employment obligations preventing them from voting during early voting hours or on election day.
• Persons attending to a sick or physically disabled person preventing them from voting during early voting hours or on election day.
• Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial preventing them from voting during early voting hours or on election day.
• Persons absent from their county of residence during early voting hours or on election day.
• Persons with physical disabilities.
• Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
• Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.
• Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election (see additional details below).

Important Reminders

• Standard USPS delivery times are 2-5 business days within Charleston County. Please allow enough time to complete the absentee ballot process.
• Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 30 days prior to each election. The last day ballots are mailed is 11 days prior to the election.
• All voted ballots must be received by the Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office no later than 7 pm on election day to be counted.
• Ballots will not be accepted at polling locations on election days.

Lifecycle of an Absentee Ballot

Contact

Charleston County Board of Voter Registration & Elections

Physical Address:
4340 Corporate Rd.
N. Charleston, SC 29405

Mailing Address:
PO Box 71419
North Charleston SC, 29415

Phone: (843)744-VOTE(8683)
Fax: (843)974-6419
Email: vote@charlestoncounty.org

Record Requests:
https://charlestoncounty.streamlinegov.us/

Office Hours:
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5pm
7am - 7pm (all election days)

Facebook: @charlestonvotes
Instagram: @chsvotes
Twitter: @charlestonvotes

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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