Voting, Voter Registration & Education
Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections applications for new registrations must be received by the Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office or postmarked no later than 30 days prior to election.
17 year olds who will be 18 years of age as of the date of the next General Election may register to vote prior to 18th birthday and may also participate in primary elections prior to 18th birthday.
You will receive a voter registration certificate confirming that your voter registration application has been approved and processed. Click here to verify your registration. Please contact the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Office by calling (843) 744-8683 or by sending an email to VoterRegistration@CharlestonCounty.org if you do not receive this certificate.
Voting Info
Voter Registration Applications or Change of Address Requests
Please send your requests to:
Phone: (843) 974-6419
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
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: Registering online requires a S.C. Driver's License or DMV ID. Click here to register to vote online.
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 State Election Commission's webpage.
You can also give us a call at (843) 744-8683, Monday through Friday between 8:30AM and 5PM.
Answer: To change your address online, you will need to update your information with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Afterward, you can submit an online voter registration form to update your address.
Answer: Voters in South Carolina have three options to cast their ballot:
- In-person on Election Day at their polling location
- In-person during the early voting period at an Early Voting Center
- By mail via an absentee ballot (if you qualify to vote absentee)
Answer: Yes.
Any eligible South Carolina voter can now vote early. For information on early voting locations, dates, and hours, visit Early Voting.
Answer: Yes.
Due to a recent change in South Carolina state law, early voting is available for all elections. Dates and times vary based on the type of election:
- Statewide General Elections
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Monday – Saturday two weeks prior to the week of the election 8:30AM – 6:00PM
Closed Sundays and state holidays - All Other Elections/Primaries
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Receive your absentee ballot in the mail. Voters who have applied early will be mailed their absentee ballot approximately 30 days before the election.
- 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.
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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 polling location.
You can find your polling location through the State Election Commission's webpage.
Answer: You can find your polling location through the State Election Commission's webpage.
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, if you have another form of valid, unexpired photo ID, you do not need your voter registration card to vote.
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 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 count unless evidence is presented to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections that you are lying about your identity or your reasonable impediment.
Answer: A valid, unexpired photo ID that falls under one of the falling categories:
- SC Driver's License
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- US Passport
Answer: If you do not have your photo ID and wish to vote, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot.
Your ballot will only be counted if you present your photo ID at the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections prior to the certification of the election.
For the 2025 General Election, the certification will take place on Friday, November 11, at 10AM.
Answer: No.
Cameras are prohibited in the voting booth.
Answer: You can get a sample ballot through the State Election Commission's webpage.
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. If they cannot or will not remove their political clothing or accessories, they will be asked to leave the polling location.
Answer:
- If the polls close while you're still in line, stay in line - you have the right to vote.
- If you make a mistake on your ballot prior to scanning it, you can ask for a new ballot.
- Voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, even if they aren't in the poll book.
- If you run into any problems or have questions on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
- English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
- Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
- Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
- For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683
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.
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting is available to those who meet specific eligibility requirements.
To learn more, please visit Absentee Voting.
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.
Watch the video, Accessibility at the Polls, as we highlight accessible voting efforts in Charleston County.
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 once again to our neurodivergent voters amid the 2024 General Election.
To learn more about this partnership, please view the Just Bee Partnership.
Absentee Voting & Qualifications
Who Can Vote Absentee?
- Persons with employment obligations which prevent them 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.
- Persons attending a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them 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.
- Persons confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them 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.
- Persons who will be absent from their 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.
- 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).
Lifecycle of an Absentee Ballot
Absentee Voting by Mail
Request your application
For primary election requests, please indicate which party's ballot you would like to receive.
Phone: (843) 744-VOTE (8683)
Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM
to Address
P.O. Box 71419 North Charleston, SC 29415
*must include your name, DOB, and SSN last four
Return your application*
Applications must be returned to our office by 5PM 11 days prior to the election.
Mail with a completed
Absentee Application Request Form*
to Address
P.O. Box 71419 North Charleston, SC 29415
*must include your name, DOB, and SSN last four
In-person with a completed
Absentee Application Request Form*
to Address
4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29406
Receive and fill out your ballot
Return your ballot
Ballots must be received by 7PM on Election Day. Ballots can be returned by mail or to our office or any Early Voting Center.
Ballots can also be returned to any Early Voting Center (dates and hours vary by election).
Mail to Address
P.O. Box 71419 North Charleston, SC 29415
*must include your name, DOB, and SSN last four
In-person to Address
4340 Corporate Rd., N. Charleston, SC 29406
USPS Mail
Search for nearby Post Office™ locations, Collection Boxes, or specfic services.
*No postage required
Important Reminders
Requirements to Challenge a Ballot
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: 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.
Answer: The last day to request an absentee ballot application is 11 days before Election Day.
For the 2022 General Election, the last day to request an absentee ballot application is Friday, October 28.
Answer: Due to a recent decision from the South Carolina Election Commission, we cannot accept requests for absentee ballot applications via email.
Answer: No.
All absentee ballots will be sent approximately 30 days before the day of the 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 qualify as an immediate family member or authorized representative.
Immediate family members are 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 must be dropping off a ballot for a voter who cannot drop of their ballot due to a physical disability or illness.
Before asking someone to drop off your ballot, make sure to review the following:
- Immediate family members or authorized representatives can only return ballots on behalf of another voter in person. In-Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM OR visit one of our Early Voting Centers.
- Both the voter and the immediate family member/authorized representative must fill out the Authorized Returnee Form.
- The returnee must present one of the following types of photo ID when returning the ballot:
- Driver's license issued by a state within the United States
- Another form of identification containing a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or its equivalent by a state within the United States
- Passport
- Military identification containing a photograph issued by the federal government
- South Carolina voter registration card containing a photograph of the voter.
- Immediate family members and authorized representatives may only return five (5) absentee ballots in addition to their own.
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.
Before you have someone request a ballot on your behalf, make sure review the following:
- Authorized representatives can only request absentee ballot applications in person or by mail. Immediate family members can request by phone, in person, or mail. 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: Send us a letter that includes the voter’s name, date of birth, last four of their Social Security number, and the elections for which they are requesting an absentee ballot application.
- Authorized representatives must provide a completed Authorized Representative Form.
- Authorized representatives may only request five (5) absentee ballot applications 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 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.
The Charleston County Board of Elections 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, visit our Early Voting page.
Answer: You can track your mailed absentee ballot through the State Election Commission's webpage.
Please make sure you enter the address EXACTLY like what is on your envelope addressed to you.
NOTE: If you live in Mt. Pleasant, you must type the city as "Mount Pleasant"
Tracking your ballot only applies to absentee by mail. If you have voted in person, you cannot track your ballot. Tracking is based on USPS scans.
Answer: Yes, if you are a member of that person’s immediate family or acting as an authorized representative.
Immediate family members are 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 must be dropping off a ballot for a voter who cannot drop of their ballot due to a physical disability or illness.
Before agreeing to drop off a ballot for someone else, make sure to review the following:
- Immediate family members or authorized representatives can only return ballots on behalf of another voter in person. In-Person: Visit our office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC 29405, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM OR visit one of our Early Voting Centers.
- Both the voter and the immediate family member/authorized representative must fill out the Authorized Returnee Form.
- The returnee must present one of the following types of photo ID when returning the ballot:
- Driver's license issued by a state within the United States
- Another form of identification containing a photograph issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles or its equivalent by a state within the United States
- Passport
- Military identification containing a photograph issued by the federal government
- South Carolina voter registration card containing a photograph of the voter.
- Immediate family members and authorized representatives may only return five (5) absentee ballots in addition to their own.
Answer: Yes.
You can sign up for notifications of your ballot as it travels through the mail stream. After entering your information to track your ballot on the State Election Commission's webpage, select the checkbox to be notified.
Once your ballot has been received by our office, you will receive a notification indicating your ballot has been "accepted."
Answer: A detailed explanation and graphic can be viewed here: Life Cycle of a Mailed Absentee Ballot.
Once a voter receives the notification that their ballot has been accepted, the ballot is securely stored until we can start opening absentee ballots.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: Early Voting will be available Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 24 and Monday October 27, through Friday October 31st. Early Voting Centers are not open on Saturday, Sundays, or legal holidays.
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: When you request an absentee ballot, you are deciding how you will vote in an election.
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. The provisional ballot will count unless we receive your voted absentee ballot.
Attempting to vote twice is a felony. We will report anyone suspected of attempting to vote twice to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Answer: Yes.
If you are a Charleston County voter, you can vote at any Early Voting Center regardless of your residence.
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 -
Charleston County
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Charleston County Government
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