By Patrick Phillips | June 9, 2020 at 6:47 AM EDT - Updated June 9 at 7:30 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for a statewide primary election.
SPECIAL SECTION: Campaign 2020
Voters are being encouraged to check their polling place, because approximately 250 of them have changed for Tuesday’s vote. The changes were prompted either by concerns about the novel coronavirus or a shortage in poll workers that forced counties to consolidate some polling places.
Click here for the full list of changes.
Before you head to the polls, you can check out the sample ballot for your precinct at the South Carolina Election Commission’s website, SCVotes.org. You’ll be asked to enter the county you reside in along with your first and last name and birthdate. The system will verify your voter registration and show you the ballot for your precinct.
Once you go to your polling place, you will need a photo ID.
When voting in person, you will be asked to show one of the following Photo IDs:
- SC Driver's License
- Includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport
- Includes US Passport ID Card
Be sure to bring your photo ID with you. If you forget to bring your photo ID, you may vote a provisional ballot that will count only if you show your Photo ID to the election commission prior to certification of the election (usually Thursday or Friday after the election).
If you have not been able to obtain a photo ID, bring your non-photo voter registration card with you to the polling place. You may vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining Photo ID. A reasonable impediment is any valid reason, beyond your control, which created an obstacle to obtaining a Photo ID. Some examples include:
- Disability or illness
- Conflict with your work schedule
- Lack of transportation
- Lack of a birth certificate
- Family responsibilities
- Religious objection to being photographed
- Any other obstacle you find reasonable
This ballot will count unless someone proves to the election commission that you are lying about your identity or about having the listed impediment.
To vote under the reasonable impediment exception:
- Inform the poll managers that you do not have a photo ID and could not get one.
- Present your current, non-photo registration card.
- Sign the affidavit provided by the poll managers stating why you could not obtain a Photo ID.
- Cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county election commission has reason to believe your affidavit is false.
Though polls officially close at 7 p.m., anyone who is in line to vote at 7 p.m. will still be allowed to do so.
If you encounter problems at the polls, you can call the South Carolina Election Protection Hotline to report them. The number is 866-687-8683 or 866-OUR-VOTE.
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