Voting Information

2026 Election Information

SCvotes.gov has the official information.  For local questions, contact Greenville County Elections and Voter Registration  864.467.7250

Most of the information you will need will be on one (or both) of these websites.

Register to vote  (online, by mail or fax or in person) – information and FAQs –

REQUIRES A SC DRIVER LICENSE OR DMV ID TO REGISTER ONLINE

Check your voter registration – make sure your name and address are correct if anything has changed (move, marriage, divorce, etc.)

Voter Registration

Must

  • be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to the election you plan to vote in. 
  • be a United States citizen
  • be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election (if they will be 18 by the general, they can vote in the primary)
  • be a resident of South Carolina in the county and precinct 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 the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, CONTACT THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE.
  • Citizens who are not yet 18-years-old but will turn 18 before the next ensuing election (11/3/26), 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).

Primary Elections in SC

Primary elections are conducted by the main political parties, Democrat and Republican, to decide which candidate will represent their party in the general election.  It is conducted by the County Elections Office on behalf of the political party. 

SC is an open-primary state so registered voters choose which party primary they want to vote in when they vote.  They can choose either one, but only one.  For example, if I choose to vote in the Republican Party primary, I can’t vote for any Democratic Party candidates in this election.  If you want to vote for a Republican candidate for governor, for example, you must choose to only vote for Republican candidates for all races.

If one candidate does not win 50% of the votes in the primary election, there will be a runoff election for the two candidates with the highest number of votes.  In the runoff, a candidate must win by 1 vote more than the other candidate.

This is a very good explanation of primary elections with more detail.  It was written a few years ago so the dates are not correct, but the process is.

June Primaries

Voter Registration Deadlines

May 8                    5:00 p.m. – Deadline to register in person (at county elections office)

May 10                 11:59 p.m. – Deadline to register to vote online, by fax or email

May 11                 Deadline to register by mail (must be postmarked by this date)

Early Voting

Early voting sites are different from traditional polling places.  Anyone in the county can vote at any early voting location. 

Early Voting Dates and Times

Tuesday 5/26 – June 5 (Monday 5/25 is Memorial Day so they will not open)     8:30 am – 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Closed Saturday 5/30 and Sunday 5/31

Early Voting Locations Greenville County

  • McAlister Square (Back Entrance): 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29607
  • Renfrew Church (Fellowship Hall): 951 Greer Hwy, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
  • Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church (Gym): 206 Moore Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681
  • Mauldin Senior Center: 203 Corn Rd, Greenville, SC 29607
  • Praise Cathedral (Family Life Center): 3375 Brushy Creek Road, Greer, SC 29650

Election Day and Runoff

  • Tuesday, June 9th 2026
  • Tuesday, June 23rd 2026 - Primary Run-off (If Needed)
    • Note, if there is a runoff, you must vote in the same party as you did in the primary.

General Election

The general election determines the actual winner of the race.  You will choose between candidates from multiple parties and vote for one candidate for each race.  You can vote for candidates from different parties for different races in this election.

Voter Registration Deadlines

October 2            5:00 p.m. – Deadline to register in person (at county elections office)

October 4            11:59 p.m. – Deadline to register to vote online, by fax or email

October 5            Deadline to register by mail (must be postmarked by this date)

Early Voting for General Election

Specific locations will be announced closer to the election. 

October 19 – October 31              8:30 am – 6:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday       Closed Sunday October 25

Election Day                                 

Tuesday, November 3rd 2026

Voting by Mail – Actually Called Absentee by Mail

Absentee by mail is only available with an excuse.  Ballots may be requested any time after 1/1/26 and will be sent when ready.  We encourage voters to vote early in person when at all possible or in person on election day.  Absentee by mail is ok for those who can’t vote in person if the process is started early.

Other Ways to Get Ready

Learn about the candidates

Candidates have until noon on 3/30/26 to file to run so we will know who will be on the ballot on 3/31/26.

Closer to the election, information about the election and specific candidates will be available:

  • Vote411.org – A League of Women Voters website that gives you personalized information based on your street address. It is usually available about 6 weeks prior to the election.
  • Simple Civics: Greenville County is a podcast that invites every candidate for local office to participate in a podcast.  These are posted here when they are completed.
  • Check local media sources for election coverage.
  • Most candidates will have social media and/or websites where you can learn more about them. You can find these with quick searches.

Work at the Polls

It takes a lot of people to run an election.  This is a paid position that pays $135 per day.  There is a short online training class and you will work with experienced poll clerks. 

Get more information here or contact Greenville County Elections and Voter Registration.

Quick Checklist

  1. Now If you plan to vote Absentee by Mail, review this information.
  2. Now Sign up to be a poll manager
  3. Before May 8, 2026 Register to vote or check your registration.
  4. Before May 26, 2026 Learn about the candidates
  5. May 26-June 5, 2026 Vote early at one of the sites in Greenville County– BEST CHOICE
  6. June 9, 2026 Vote in person at your polling place (if you didn't vote early)
  7. June 23, 2026 - runoff for primary if needed                

If there is a runoff for any office in your party after the primary GO BACK AND VOTE AGAIN!  Turnout is very low for these elections so a few votes can determine who wins.

  1. Now If you plan to vote Absentee by Mail, review this information.
  2. Now Sign up to be a poll manager
  3. Before October 2, 2026 Register to vote or check your registration.
  4. Before October 19, 2026 Learn about the candidates
  5. October 19-31, 2026 Vote early at one of the sites in Greenville County– BEST CHOICE
  6. November 3, 2026 Vote in person at your polling place (if you didn't vote early)