COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 16, 2012) - The State Election Commission (SEC) has received certified results from the Richland County Election Commission and will certify the results for the following offices at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, following an audit conducted by SEC staff:

• President and Vice President 
• U.S. House of Representatives District 2
• U.S. House of Representatives District 6
• State Senate Districts 19, 20, 21, 22, 35
• State House of Representatives Districts 41, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80
• Lexington/Richland School District 5
• Statewide Constitutional Amendment Question
• Local, countywide, and less-than-countywide Richland County offices and questions.  (The results of these local offices and questions will become official when the Richland County Election Commission certifies on Friday.)

The SEC today certified the Lexington School Board District 3 Recount, which includes parts of Lexington and Saluda counties.  Click here for results of the recount.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 14, 2012) - The State Election Commission (SEC) today certified partial results of the 2012 General Election.  No results were certified for any offices appearing on Richland County ballots. 

Under Order of the S.C. Supreme Court, Richland County election results will be certified by the Richland County Election Commission prior to noon, Friday, November 16; and subsequently, by the SEC.  The SEC certification is set for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 16.

Click here to read the S.C. Supreme Court order.

Offices not included in today's certification:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 6, 2012) - South Carolina voters turned out today in large numbers across the state. Initial reports from precincts indicate voter turnout is likely to be on-par with the record-breaking 2008 General Election.

Voters returned approximately 400 thousand absentee ballots this year, surpassing the 2008 record of 342 thousand absentee ballots. Voters showed the same enthusiasm at the polls today, with anecdotal reports from across the state indicating heavy turnout. The State Election Commission expects total voter turnout to be similar to the record-setting 76 percent turnout of 2008.  Participation may even surpass the 2008 record.

"The passion and dedication of South Carolina citizen for the electoral process was on display at the polls today," said Marci Andino, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission. "We're grateful to voters for their patience as they waited to cast their ballots, and we want to thank the 20,000 poll workers and election officials across the state for their tireless work to ensure that every vote counts."

Q.  What candidates and/or offices are on the ballot today?

A.    The candidates and offices on a particular ballot will differ depending on the county and districts in which you reside.  To find out what candidates will appear on ballots in your county visit www.scVOTES.org and click "General Election Candidates by County," or call your county election commission.  If you don't know your districts, use the "Check Your Voter Registration" feature to find your districts first.

Q.   Where do I vote?

A.    At the polling place in your precinct.  Your precinct and polling place are listed on your voter registration card.  To ensure your polling place hasn't changed since your card was issued, check your voter registration by visiting www.scVOTES.org and clicking "Check Your Voter Registration."  This feature will allow you to pull up a map from your house to your polling place.

Q.  What hours will the polls be open?

A.  Polling places are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

General Election Results

General Election Recount Results

Candidate Names by County

Constitutional Amendment Question

General Election Frequently Asked Questions

Truth vs. Myth

Election Calendar

New Photo ID Requirements NOT in effect for 2012

Primary and Runoff Results

Press Releases

Statistical Fact Sheets

Other Candidate Lists

COLUMBIA, SC (October 31, 2012) - Voters should be aware of upcoming deadlines and the procedures for voting by absentee ballot in the November 6, 2012, General Election.

Persons qualified to vote by absentee ballot:

1.       Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

2.       Members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine serving outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them (click here for additional information)

3.       Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

4.       Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on election day

5.       Physically disabled persons

The following are some common myths that are circulated prior to general elections:

Myth:  The new photo ID law is in effect, and if you don't have one, you can't vote.

Truth:  The new photo ID law will NOT be in effect on November 6^th.  To vote on November 6^th, you must have a S.C. Driver's License, a S.C. DMV ID card, or a voter registration card.  The new photo ID rules won't take effect until January 1, 2013.  Even then, there are safeguards in place that allow any voter to vote on Election Day, whether they have a photo ID or not.  For more on the new photo ID law, visit scvotes.org.

Myth:  South Carolina has "early voting," meaning anyone can vote early for any reason.

New Rules Not in Effect for 2012 General Election

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 3, 2012) - The United States District Court for the District of Columbia today gave its approval to a new law requiring South Carolina voters to present a government-issued identification card with a photo in order to vote. Under the Court's order, the law will go into effect for elections held on or after January 1, 2013.

The new Photo ID provisions will not be in effect for the November 6, 2012, General Election.

For the rest of this year including the 2012 General Election, voters must continue to provide one of the following forms of ID to vote in person:

• S.C. Driver's License
• S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ID Card
• S.C. Voter Registration Card

Beginning in 2013, voters will have to provide one of the following current and valid forms of photo ID to vote in person:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 3, 2012) - In less than 24 hours, more than 3,000 voters took advantage of South Carolina's new online voter registration system.  The system was made available to the public at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, 3,102 applications had been submitted.

"Voter registration has never been easier, and we're pleased that citizens are taking advantage of this wonderful new opportunity," says Marci Andino, executive director of the S.C. State Election Commission. "This overwhelming response proves South Carolinians are eager to make their voices heard in November."

The State Election Commission wants to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the upcoming voter registration deadline and urge those already registered to update their information.

You must be registered by October 6^th to vote in the November 6^th General Election.

Voters who have moved from one county to another must be registered to vote in their new county by the deadline.

October 2, 2012 - Charleston County

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Special Republican Primary

The State Senate District 41 Special Republican Primary and Runoff was held to replace the Republican Party's former nominee, Paul Thurmond.   The candidate selected through this process will appear on ballots in the November 6, 2012, General Election as the Republican nominee for State Senate District 41.