Voter Registration

To register to vote in Charleston County, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the county, and at least 18 years old by the next election.
  • New voter registrations must be completed at least 30 days before Election Day.
  • Seventeen-year-olds who will turn 18 by the next election may register starting 150 days before their first eligible election.
  • Seventeen-year-olds may also vote in Primaries if they will be 18 by the General Election.
  • Individuals with felony convictions can regain their eligibility to register once they have fully completed their sentence, including any probation or parole.

Voting Info

Register to Vote
Look-up Registration Info
Update My Registration Info
Where Do I Vote?
What Do I Need to Bring?
How to Cast Your Ballot
Municipalities

Methods of Registration:

  1. Register online using a valid and updated South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID.
  2. Registration applications may also be submitted:
    • By mail
    • By email
    • By fax
    • In person to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections
  3. Applicants registering by mail, email, fax, or in person must provide:
    • A valid photo ID or
    • A government, utility, or bank document showing their name and county address
  4. Required documentation may also be provided on or before Election Day. After your application is processed, you will be mailed a voter registration card confirming that your registration has been approved. To check your voter registration status, please visit MySCVotes.

If you do not receive your voter registration card, please contact the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections by calling (843) 744‑8683 or by emailing VoterRegistration@CharlestonCounty.org.

Register to Vote or Change Registration Address

You can register to vote or change your address by:

Mail

PO Box 71419 N. Charleston, SC 29415

Online

SCVotes Registration

In-Person

4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843) 000-0000

Email: VoterRegistration@CharlestonCounty.org

(must provide signature)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer: To be eligible to register to vote in South Carolina, you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be at least eighteen years old by the next election
  • Be a resident of the County in which you are registering
  • Not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
  • Not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
  • Have never been convicted of a felony or offense against election laws
  • If previously convicted, have served your entire sentence, including probation and parole time, or have received a pardon for the conviction
  • Citizens who are not yet 18-years-old but will turn 18 before the next ensuing General Election, and who otherwise qualify to vote, have the right to register beginning 150 days prior to the preceding primary.

Answer: You must be registered at least 30 days prior to an election to vote in that election.

Registration by mail applications must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the election to be eligible. If the deadline falls on a Sunday or U.S. Postal Service holiday, the postmark deadline is extended to the next day that is not a Sunday or holiday.

Citizens who are not yet 18-years-old but will turn 18 before the next ensuing General Election, and who otherwise qualify to vote, have the right to register beginning 120 days prior to the closing of the books of a preceding primary (see S.C. Code of Laws 7-5-180).

For voter registration deadlines, see our Election Schedule.

Answer:

If registering online to vote, be sure to have a valid South Carolina Driver’s License or DMV ID.
If registering to vote by mail or in person, provide a copy of one of the following items:

  • Any current, valid Photo ID; or
  • A utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government document showing your name and address in your county.

Answer: In South Carolina, we do not register by party.

During primary elections, voters can choose to vote in any party's primary. This does NOT constitute registering with that party.

Answer: To review your voter registration information, visit the SCVotes.SC.gov

You can also give us a call at (843) 744-8683, Monday through Friday between 8:30AM and 5PM.

Answer: You can update your voter registration in several ways:

  1. Online:
    • Submit an online voter registration form. You must have a S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID card, and your information must be up to date with the DMV first.
  2. By Mail, Fax, or Email:
    • Download and complete a voter registration form or fill out the back of your voter registration card.
    • Submit it by mailing or scanning and emailing it to our office.
  3. In Person:
    • Visit our office and fill out a voter registration form.

Answer: Voters in South Carolina have three options to cast their ballot:

  1. In-person on Election Day at their polling location.
    • Citizens can visit SCVotes.SC.gov to look up Election Day polling locations.
  2. In-person during the early voting period at an Early Voting Center.
  3. By mail via an absentee ballot.

Answer: Yes.

Early voting is available for all elections. Dates and times vary based on the type of election:

Statewide General Elections
Monday – Saturday two weeks prior to the week of the election 8:30AM – 6:00PM
Closed Sundays and state holidays
All Other Elections/Primaries
Monday – Friday two weeks prior to the week of the election 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays
Runoffs
Wednesday – Friday the week prior to the election 8:30AM – 5:00PM

Answer: Yes, if you qualify to vote absentee, you can absentee vote by mail.

  1. Get your application to request an absentee ballot in person, by phone, or by mail.
    • By Phone: Call our office at (843) 744-8683) Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5PM
    • In Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5PM.
    • By Mail: Send us a letter that includes your name, date of birth, last four of your Social Security number, and the elections for which you are requesting an absentee ballot application.
  1. Complete, sign and return the application to us as soon as possible by mail or in person.
    • By Mail: You can return your application by mail through the United States Postal Service. Drop your application off at your closest USPS Post Office or USPS mailbox—no postage required! To find your closest USPS location, you can use the USPS Locator Tool.
    • In Person: You can also return your application in person by dropping it off at our office or an Early Voting Center. A valid, unexpired photo ID is required.

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM. We are located at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Return your application as soon as possible to provide time for receiving and returning your ballot by mail. Applications must be received by 5PM 11 days before the election. Applying late puts your ballot at risk of not being returned by the deadline.

  1. Receive your absentee ballot in the mail. Voters who have applied early will be mailed their absentee ballot approximately 30 days before the election.
  2. Vote and place the ballot in the "ballot here-in" envelope and place the "ballot here-in" envelope in the return envelope. Be sure to sign the voter's oath, and have a witness sign and print their name and address. Anyone who is at least eighteen years of age can witness your signature. A notary is not necessary.
  3. Return your absentee ballot to us by mail or in person.
    • By Mail: You can return your ballot by mail through the United States Postal Service. Drop your ballot off at your closest USPS Post Office or USPS mailbox—no postage required! To find your closest USPS location, you can use the USPS Locator Tool.
    • In Person: You can also return your ballot in person by dropping it off at our office or an Early Voting Center. A valid, unexpired photo ID is required if you choose to drop it off at an Early Voting Center.

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM. We are located at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Ballots must be received by our office by 7:00PM on Election Day. Ballots will not be accepted at polling locations on Election Day. If you choose to return your ballot in person, you must return it to our office or an Early Voting Center.

Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to election day to help ensure timely delivery.

Answer: You must vote at your assigned polling location.

You can find your polling location at SCVotes.SC.gov.

Answer: You can find your polling location at SCVotes.SC.gov.

Answer: Polls are open between 7AM and 7PM on Election Day.

If you are in line at 7PM, you have the right to vote.

Answer: No, you are only required to bring one of the valid forms of photo ID.

However, feel free to bring it with you. It can help us locate your voter profile and has information on your voting districts.

Answer: You must present one of the following unexpired photo IDs to vote:

  • SC driver's license
  • SC DMV ID (including Concealed Weapons Permit)
  • SC voter registration card with photo
  • Passport or passport card
  • Federal military ID

Answer: You can get a free photo ID at our office located at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405.

We are open between 8:30AM and 5:00PM Monday through Friday.

If you do not have a photo ID and wish to vote, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit that you had a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID. A reasonable impediment is something that prevented you from getting a photo ID.

Examples include:

  • Lack of transportation
  • Disability or illness
  • Lack of documents necessary to obtain a photo ID

Your provisional ballot will be reviewed at a hearing held by the Board of Voter Registration and Elections following Election Day.

Answer: Be sure to bring one of the valid, unexpired, photo IDs. These are:

  • SC driver's license
  • SC DMV ID (including Concealed Weapons Permit)
  • SC voter registration card with photo
  • Passport or passport card
  • Federal military ID

Answer: If you do not have your photo ID and wish to vote, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot.

You can bring your valid ID before or on the day of the Provisional Ballot Hearing. Your ballot will then be reviewed and voted on by the Board of Voter Registration and Elections.

Answer: No.

You are not permitted to take photos or videos in the polling location (SC §7-25-100, SC §7-13-130).

Answer: You can get your sample ballot, once available, at SCVotes.SC.gov.

Answer: Yes.

You can vote in all the races or in only one; either way, your vote will be counted.

Answer: No.

Campaigning is not allowed within 500 feet of a polling location. Anyone displaying political clothing or accessories will be asked to cover or remove their items (SC §7-25-180).

Voting Accessibility

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration & Elections is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible voting environment for every citizen. To guarantee a free and fair electoral process, we implement several key initiatives, including:

  • Conducting regular audits of all polling locations to confirm compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
  • Utilizing election equipment designed with assistive features to accommodate all voters.
  • Providing absentee and curbside voting options for eligible registered voters.
  • Creating a Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) to offer guidance and recommendations to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections staff on issues related to voting accessibility.
Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee

Curbside Voting

Curbside voting offers voters who are unable to access the polling place or stand in line due to a disability or being age 65 or older the opportunity to vote in person from their vehicle. Voters who qualify can vote curbside at their polling place on Election Day or during Early Voting at an Early Voting Center.

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is available to those who meet specific eligibility requirements.

To learn more, please visit Absentee Voting.

Just Bee Partnership

In 2024, BVRE first partnered with Just Bee to enhance accessibility at polling locations for the neurodivergent community during the statewide primaries' early voting period.

Together, we are proud to offer dedicated support and resources to our neurodivergent voters.

Absentee Voting

Can I vote absentee?

You are eligible to vote absentee if:

  • You have work obligations.*
  • You care for a sick or physically disabled person.*
  • You are confined to jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial.*
  • You will be absent from your county of residence.*
  • You have a physical disability.
  • You are age 65 or older.
  • You were admitted to the hospital as an emergency patient within four days of the election.
  • You are a member of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of United State, are the spouse of a member, or are a dependent who resides with a member.**
  • You are out of the country.**

Lifecycle of an Absentee Ballot

Life Cycle of a Mailed Absentee Ballot
View Image

Must be unable to vote during all early voting hours and on Election Day while polls are open.

These voters follow different procedures than other absentee voters. For more information, please visit FVAP.gov: About Absentee Voting or call our office.

How to Vote Absentee

Request Your Application

Applications may be requested by mail, in-person, or phone:

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 71419 North Charleston, SC 29415

Absentee Application Request Form

In-person

4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843) 744-VOTE (8683)

Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM

Receive and Return Your Application

Receive and complete your absentee ballot application. Applications must be returned to our office by 5PM 11 days prior to the election for a ballot to be mailed.

In-person

4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29405

M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM

Receive, Complete, and Return Your Ballot

Ballots are mailed about 30 days before an election, or upon application receipt after that period. The last mailing is 11 days before Election Day.

Ballots must be received by 7 PM on Election Day and may be returned by mail, to our office, or to an Early Voting Center (not Election Day polling places).

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 71419 North Charleston, SC 29415

*must include your name, DOB, and SSN last four

In-person

4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29405

M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM

USPS Mail

Search for nearby Post Office™ locations, Collection Boxes, or specfic services.

Use the USPS Locator

*No postage required

Requirements to Challenge a Ballot

Poll managers, any voter, and any qualified watcher may challenge the vote of a person who may be known or suspected not to be a qualified voter. A challenge may also be made if you have good reason to believe the person has already voted or has become disqualified for any cause. Challenges of ballots cast in person in the absentee precinct and at the polling place on election day must be made prior to the voter casting the ballot. No challenges can be made after that time. All challenges must be addressed to poll managers and not directly to voters. Challenges of absentee by mail ballots must be made prior to separating the ballot from absentee return envelope, which can begin as early as 9:00 a.m. on the day preceding the election. Challenges in the absentee precinct are very rare because the voter has the opportunity to make address changes or otherwise correct his voting record with election officials before casting an absentee ballot. If a challenged voter casts a provisional ballot, the challenger must appear or produce evidence at the provisional ballot hearing to sustain the challenge; otherwise, the ballot will be counted. See S.C. Code sections 7-13-810 and 7-13-830.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer: Yes.

Beginning on January 1st of each year, you can request an application for an absentee ballot for one or all the elections in that calendar year. You can request an absentee ballot by phone, in person, or via mail.

By Phone: Call our office at (843) 744-8683. We are open 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.

By Mail: Complete the Absentee Application Request Form or write a letter that includes the voter's name, date of birth, last four of your SSN, reason, and the elections for which you are requesting an absentee ballot application. Mail this request to our office.

Answer: The last day to request an absentee ballot application is 11 days before an election.

Answer: Absentee ballots are sent out 30 days prior to the day of the Election.

If an application is received after, ballots are sent out daily.

Answer: Yes, if they are an immediate family member or authorized representative.

Immediate family members: Spouses, parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law.

Authorized representatives: A registered voter designated to return an absentee ballot for someone unable to vote in person due to illness, disability, or a physical handicap that confines them to a hospital, care facility, residence, or prevents access to the polling place.

  • Immediate family members can request by phone, in person, or mail.
  • Authorized representatives may request absentee ballot applications only in person or by mail, and must provide a completed Authorized Representative Form.

Requests may be completed:

By Phone: Call our office at (843) 744-8683. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM (Immediate family members only).

In-person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

By Mail: Complete the Absentee Application Request Form or write a letter that includes the voter's name, date of birth, last four of your SSN, reason, and the elections for which you are requesting an absentee ballot application.

Answer: Yes, if they are an immediate family member or authorized representative.

Immediate family members: spouses, parents, children, brothers, sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law.

Authorized representatives: a registered voter designated to return an absentee ballot for someone unable to vote in person due to illness, disability, or a physical handicap that confines them to a hospital, care facility, residence, or prevents access to the polling place.

Ballots may be returned to our office or an Early Voting Centers.

If you are not returning on your own ballot, you must complete the Authorized Returnee Form.

Immediate family members and authorized representatives may only return five (5) absentee ballots in addition to their own.

Answer: No.

Absentee ballots will be sent to the residential or mailing address listed on your application.

Answer: You can return your absentee ballot by mail or in person.

By Mail: You can return your ballot in the mail with the prepaid return envelope.

In-person: You can also return your ballot in person by dropping it off at our office or an Early Voting Center.

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

We are located at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405.

For information on Early Voting Center dates, hours, and locations, please see the section on Early Voting.

Answer: You can track your ballot at SCVotes.SC.gov.

Early Voting

Charleston County voters can vote at any early voting location in Charleston County.

Interested in working early voting? Please submit the Early Voting application and we will be in contact.

NOTE: We anticipate being fully staffed for the Statewirde Primaries. You will be contacted in late summer or early spring with more information regarding early voting for the November General Election.

2025 Municipal Elections Locations and Dates

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Early Vote
Date(s)
Location

Downtown Charleston

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Main Library

68 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC 29401

Location Map

James Island

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Baxter-Patrick Library

1858 S Grimball Rd., Charleston, SC 29412

Location Map

Mount Pleasant

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Seacoast Church

750 Long Point Rd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Location Map

North Charleston

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Charleston County BVRE HQ

4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29405

Location Map

West Ashley

Monday, October 20, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

or

Monday, October 27, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025

8:30AM - 5PM

Essex Village Church of Christ

736 Savage Rd., Charleston, SC 29414

Location Map

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer: No.

All eligible voters can vote early, no excuse required.

Answer: Yes.

We offer curbside voting at all our Early Voting Centers.

Answer: No, only Early Voting Centers will offer early voting.

Please visit our Early Voting page for more information regarding locations, dates, and times for our Early Voting Centers.

Answer: If you have requested an absentee ballot and wish to vote at an Early Voting Center or on Election Day, you will be required to vote via a provisional ballot.

Your ballot will then be reviewed by the Board of Elections & Voter Registration in the days following the election to determine if an absentee ballot has been received and whether to count the provisional ballot or not.

Answer: Yes.

If you are a Charleston County voter, you can vote at any Early Voting Center.

Election and Voting Sites

Listed below are locations where Charleston County residents can register to vote. Registrants must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of South Carolina and be at least 18 years old by the next general election. Based on state and federal law, each eligible applicant is registered within the proper precinct and various single-member districts.

Citizens may also register by mail. Applications are available at Charleston County Library branches, city halls, post offices and various high schools. An online application is available through SCVotes.gov or the S.C. Election Commission site.

State and federal laws, including the Motor Voter Act, dictate that the S.C. Department of Public Safety's Division of Motor Vehicles must offer voter registration to all citizens. Other agencies also mandated to offer voter registration include military recruitment stations and various other federal and state offices. However, you must also be a client at the location where you want to register. "Motor Voter" registration sites are listed by geographic area: Charleston Peninsula, East Cooper, North Area, West Ashley.

- Please select a button below to view the site locations -