Charleston County Elections official talks early voting one week out

CHARLESTON CO., S.C. (WCBD) – Mark your calendars because there are key dates to know leading up to the 2024 November election, starting with October 14^th, the last day for South Carolinians to register to vote.

“The best thing to do is go to SC Votes and do online voter registration. So, if you have your driver’s license, its up to date, you’ll just go to SC Votes, put in your social security number with your driver’s license number and you’ll get registered,” said Isaac Cramer, the Executive Director for the Charleston County Board of Elections.

Voters must fill out the online form by 11:59 pm or in person before the close of business. Mail-in registration will be accepted too, as long as it’s postmarked on the Monday deadline.

Once voters are registered, they can plan to cast their ballot in person as soon as next Monday, October 21^st.

“This is a great opportunity to exercise your right to vote and I really believe that early voting will be a fantastic experience for our voters. We have plenty of staff at each location, the resources,” Cramer shared.

The early voting period will take place Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-6pm beginning October 21^st and will last through November 2^nd.

Going the early voting route gives registered voters in Charleston County the option to choose between seven different locations, instead of having to report to their designated polling place on Election Day.

“It is a great option for voters, and you’re not crammed into just that 12 hours on Election Day where lines tend to be longer. Early voting usually allows lines to kind of be broken up throughout a two-week early voting period, rather than just 12 hours on Election Day,” said John Michael Catalano, the Public Information Officer for the South Carolina Election Commission.

According to Cramer, voters are not required to have a specific reason for voting early, just a photo ID at the ready.

This year is the first presidential election since the law on early voting changed in 2022, so officials are expecting many first timers.

“Before, you had to have an excuse, you had to sign a form, it was a very slow process. Now, it’s just like Election Day. You show up with your photo ID and you’re checked right in to vote,” Cramer added.

Early voting in Charleston County will be held at the following places.

1. Downtown Charleston – Main Library

68 Calhoun St. Charleston, SC 29401

2. Hollywood – St. Paul’s Hollywood Library

5130 SC-165 Hollywood, SC 29449

3. James Island – Baxter-Patrick Library

1858 S Grimball Rd. Charleston, SC 29412

4. Johns Island – St. John’s Episcopal Church

3673 Maybank Hwy. Johns Island, SC 29455

5. North Charleston – Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Headquarters

4340 Corporate Rd. N. Charleston, SC 29405

6. Mount Pleasant – Seacoast Church

750 Long Point Rd. Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

7. West Ashley – Essex Village Church of Christ

736 Savage Rd. Charleston, SC 29414

Cramer said anyone planning to vote by mail will need to request an absentee ballot by phone or in person. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 25^th at 5pm.