Voter Eligibility

To register to vote you must:

• Be a United States citizen.

• Be at least 18 years old on or before the next general election.

• 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 election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.

• There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina to register to vote, and you can register at any time after you move to the state.

Voter Registration

South Carolina law requires eligible citizens to register to vote at least 30 days prior to an election. The deadline for the general election in November 2023 is October 8-9 depending on how you register.

Register Online

You must have a current South Carolina Driver’s License or DMV ID. The name and address on your driver’s license must be current. You can register online at Vote411 until midnight on Sunday, October 6.

Register by mail, email or fax

Download and complete a voter registration form. Your Social Security number (SSN) is required, but you can enter only the last four digits. Return it to the Greenville County Voter Registration and Elections Office by mail (301 University Ridge, Suite N-1000, Greenville SC 29601).

Return by fax (864-467-7256); or scan a copy and email it to cbelangia@greenvillecounty.org.

You can register by fax or email up to midnight on Sunday, October 6; and by mail if postmarked by Tuesday, October 8.

Register in person

Visit the election office at 301 University Ridge, Suite 1900, Greenville. You can register in person up to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 6. You can also register in person while receiving services at a DMV office, or at voter registration events sponsored by the League and other voter services organizations.

Special circumstances

Students
Citizens who are not yet 18 but will be by Election Day – Nov. 5, 2024 – can register to vote. Out of state students attending college in South Carolina may register to vote in SC using the physical address of their dormitory and not their P.O. Box. More information for students

Military and Overseas Citizens
Members of the military or citizens currently living abroad have special procedures and protections under federal and state law to help them overcome barriers to voter registration and voting caused by their military service or residence overseas. They also have access to the Electronic Voting Accessibility Tool (EVAT) that allows them to access their ballots online, then print and complete them. Completed ballots must be sent to the county elections office via fax, email, or mail by 7 p.m. on November 5, Election Day.

Convicted of a felony
You cannot vote if you are currently serving a sentence, are on probation or parole.

• If you have completed your sentence and fulfilled your probation or parole requirements, you may vote, but you must re-register. 

• If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, you may vote as long as you are not currently incarcerated. 

• If you’ve been arrested but not convicted and are in jail, you can cast an absentee ballot. 

Root & Rebound, a nonprofit dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter society, has a one-page document on navigating voting issues.