Basic Voting Information
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote. On Election Day, Voters must cast their ballot at their registered polling location or precinct. Check your voter registration information at scvotes.gov. Absentee By Mail Ballots cannot be returned or surrendered at the polls on election day.
Curbside Voting
Any voter, who because of physical handicap or age (65 or older), cannot enter the polling place in which he is registered to vote, or is unable to stand in line to vote, may vote outside that polling place in the vehicle in which he has driven or has been driven to the polls. Outside every precinct is a designated Curbside Voting parking space that the voter will need to park in and a Poll Manager will bring the voting machine to the vehicle in order for the voter to cast his/her ballot.
Curbside Voting is an option on Election Day that is available to any voter that may need this service; however, voting an Absentee Ballot by Mail can eliminate driving to the polls on election day.
Ballot Styles
A ballot consists of all offices a voter is eligible to vote for in any given election. Since district lines may cross through precinct lines, not all voters within a precinct will be issued the same ballotâtheir ballot style combination is based on where they live.
Poll Watcher
A poll watcher is someone who is appointed by a candidate or a political party to observe the election day procedures in a precinct. The poll managers of the polling place will designate a place were watchers can remain throughout election day. Conversations between watchers and voters are not permitted within the polling place. Watchers will not be permitted to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election or influence any voter in the casting this ballot.
Polling location
The actual location at which voters may cast in-person ballots under the supervision of election workers on election day.
Precinct
A geographic area that is the basis for determining which contests the voters legally residing in that area is eligible to vote on.
Straight Party Voting
Voting straight party will record a vote for all candidates within the same political party of your choice. A straight party vote does not include school board, nonpartisan, petition candidates, or questions.
Nonpartisan Offices & Candidates
School Board Trustees, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Watershed Conservation Districts, Mayors, and City/Town Councils are Nonpartisan Offices. Candidates for these offices will be listed on the ballot after the partisan offices in alphabetical order by last name.
Voting For Individual Candidates
Vote for the candidates you choose regardless of party affiliation.
Combination of Straight Party & Individual Candidate Voting
Vote straight party but you may also vote for one or more candidates that are not affiliated with your straight party vote. A vote will be recorded for each candidate listed under the party you choose except where you indicated another preference.