2026 Voting Guides

South Carolina voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in South Carolina.

Key Dates

  • Early voting begins (8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon–Sat)
  • Absentee application must be received by 5 p.m.
  • Early voting ends
  • Election Day; polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; absentee ballots due by 7 p.m.

Make a Voting Plan

Choose to vote early in person, by mail or on Election Day.

  • Vote early in person from Mon., Oct. 19 to Sat., Oct. 31.
  • Vote by mail. You can vote by mail if you are:
    • Work keeps you from voting early and on Election Day
    • Caring for someone sick or disabled
    • In jail waiting for trial
    • Away from your county during voting
    • Have a physical disability
    • 65 years or older
    • In the military or merchant marines, or their family
    • In the hospital for an emergency right before Election Day

    Request a ballot by Fri., Oct. 23. Request a mail ballot
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Find your polling place. Check the official ID rules so you bring the right ID.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • You can't vote while serving a felony sentence, including probation or parole.
    • Once your full sentence is done, you can register again.

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in South Carolina this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

Governor

  • Jermaine Johnson Democratic · Campaign site
  • State representative from Richland County.
  • Alan Wilson Republican · Campaign site
  • South Carolina attorney general since 2011; Army National Guard veteran.

Stance on key issues

Policing, prisons & public safety

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Wants to raise police pay and hire more officers, add mental health crisis teams, and commute sentences for nonviolent marijuana charges. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

Plans to work with law enforcement to break up criminal networks and toughen penalties for fentanyl and violent crimes. Source

Immigration

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

No public position found.

Alan Wilson Republican

Would deny state benefits to people in the country illegally and back local help for federal immigration agents through the 287(g) program. Source

Abortion & health care

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Says medical decisions on reproductive health 'are best left to families and their doctors.' Wants to fund more rural hospitals and make medical marijuana legal. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

Says he is 'firmly pro-life' and will support laws that 'defend the unborn.' Wants to support rural clinics and expand telemedicine. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Opposes ending the income tax. Wants 70% of families to owe no state income tax and lower property taxes for working families. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

Wants to eliminate the state income tax and the car property tax for seniors and veterans, and audit government spending. Source

Workers & wages

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Would create a labor advisory council to recommend a state minimum wage and fight wage theft. Wants incentives for paid family leave for fathers. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

No public position found.

Housing

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Proposes a grant program for cities to turn existing buildings into affordable housing. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

No public position found.

Schools

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Would audit the public school system and increase funding for trade schools and tech academies. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

Says he will fully fund public schools, expand school choice, and keep 'woke indoctrination' out of classrooms. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Supports passing a state hate crimes law. Says he helped stop an anti-DEI bill. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

No public position found.

Climate & environmental justice

Jermaine Johnson Democratic

Has a bill to require the state to produce at least 25% of its own food, energy and water. Source

Alan Wilson Republican

Says he will 'stand up to ESG mandates.' Source

U.S. Senate

  • Annie Andrews Democratic · Campaign site
  • Pediatrician; 2024 Democratic nominee for U.S. House (SC-1).
  • Darline Graham Republican, incumbent · Campaign site
  • Appointed U.S. senator (July 2026); former head of the SC Commission for the Blind.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Annie Andrews Democratic

Wants to bar members of Congress from trading stocks. Says she takes no corporate PAC money. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

No public position found.

Policing, prisons & public safety

Annie Andrews Democratic

Supports universal background checks, a ban on 'weapons of war,' safe gun storage laws, and more money for violence prevention. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

No public position found.

Abortion & health care

Annie Andrews Democratic

Wants to 'restore the protections of Roe v. Wade,' guarantee access to contraception and fertility care, and supports a public option for health insurance. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

No public position found.

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Annie Andrews Democratic

Wants to end tax breaks for 'the ultra-wealthy and corporate polluters' and lower family costs. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

Has said affordability and other domestic issues are her focus. Source

Workers & wages

Annie Andrews Democratic

Wants to raise wages, strengthen workers' rights, and expand child care and paid family leave. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

Says she spent her career helping people with disabilities find jobs and live independently. Source

Schools

Annie Andrews Democratic

Wants to fully fund public schools and special education, raise teacher pay, and protect free and reduced-price school meals. Source

Darline Graham Republican, incumbent

No public position found.

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) – Asian languages
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) – Arabic
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

This guide has been created by our community. Want to make changes, edits or any additions? Update this guide >

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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