A new record was set for early voting in South Carolina this year, with many voters casting their ballots before the official election day on November 5, 2024. Data from the South Carolina Election Commission shows that between October 21 and November 2, about 1.47 million South Carolinians participated in the early voting process. This means that around 43 percent of the state’s 3.42 million registered voters have already made their choice, which is a significant increase compared to the previous presidential election in 2020.
Early voting has allowed voters to share approximately 58.1 percent of the total votes cast in 2020. Additionally, around 100,000 absentee ballots have also been submitted, bringing the total number of early votes to over 1.5 million.
Howie Knapp, the executive director of the South Carolina Election Commission, expressed excitement about the high level of participation. “We are thrilled to see this record-breaking turnout during the early voting period as we head into a highly anticipated election day,” he stated. He urged those who haven’t voted yet to head to the polls on election day.
Charts compiled by research director Jenn Wood showcase the surge in early voting compared to past election cycles, indicating a trend that appears to be growing among voters.
When looking at specific counties, early voting also tells a diverse story. Charleston County, known as a Democratic stronghold, reported that 49.9 percent of its registered voters cast their ballots early. In contrast, Greenville County, a Republican area, saw 40.8 percent participation.
Looking ahead, all polls in South Carolina will open at 7:00 a.m. EST and close at 7:00 p.m. EST on election day. Voters should remember to bring a photo ID when checking in to vote. For those who opted for an absentee ballot, it must be returned by the same 7:00 p.m. deadline. Election officials advise that if anyone has an absentee ballot that has not yet been returned, doing so in person is the best option to ensure it is counted on time.
Stay tuned for more updates on the election results as they come in.
