South Carolina voters eligible for the special Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate can cast ballots early beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19, ahead of the runoff election on Aug. 25.
- Early voting for the South Carolina special Republican Senate runoff runs Aug. 19–21, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- The runoff on Aug. 25 is between Rep. Ralph Norman and interim Sen. Darline Graham; the winner becomes the Republican nominee for November.
- Voters must show a valid photo ID and verify eligibility—those who voted in the June Democratic primary or runoff cannot vote in this Republican runoff.
Who is on the ballot and why there is a runoff
The runoff pits U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman against interim U.S. Sen. Darline Graham. In the special Republican primary held in June, Graham received 109,881 votes (32%) and Norman received 82,627 votes (25%), producing a runoff under state rules. The winner of the Aug. 25 runoff will become the party’s nominee for the Nov. general election, where the Republican nominee will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, according to reporting from WCBD and local outlets.
When and where to vote early
Early voting is scheduled for three days: Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Aug. 21. Voting hours during the early period are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Voters should confirm their early voting location before going to the polls because some sites may have changed since the June election.
How to check polling locations and sample ballots
The South Carolina Election Commission advises voters to use scVOTES.gov or contact their county voter registration and elections office to verify polling locations and view a sample ballot. Local county election offices in Sumter, Manning and Lee County published their early voting center addresses; for example, Sumter’s early voting center is the Voter Registration and Elections office at 129 E. Liberty St., and Lee County’s is at 101 Gregg St., Bishopville.
Who is eligible to vote in the Republican runoff
Not all registered voters may participate. Voters who cast a ballot in the June Democratic primary or the June Democratic runoff are not eligible to vote in the special Republican primary runoff. Eligible participants include those who voted in the June Republican primary, those who voted in the U.S. Senate special Republican primary in June, and voters who did not vote in either primary, according to the South Carolina Election Commission guidance reported by local news outlets.
ID requirements and absentee options
Voters must present a current, valid photo ID when checking in to vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a South Carolina driver’s license, a South Carolina DMV-issued ID card, a South Carolina voter registration card with photo, a federal military ID, or a U.S. passport, local reporting states.
Qualified voters may request an absentee ballot by mail. Typical qualifying reasons listed by county election offices include being age 65 or older, having a physical disability, or having a job that prevents voting during early voting and on Election Day. The deadline to return an absentee application was published as 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. Completed absentee ballots must be received by county election officials no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 25; election officials encourage mailing ballots at least a week before Election Day to allow time for delivery.
Military members, eligible family members and U.S. citizens living overseas vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Some UOCAVA voters who returned an Instant Runoff Voting ballot with their special primary ballot were already recorded as having cast a ballot for the runoff; those who have not received a runoff ballot were advised to contact their county election office.
Practical notes and local context
Local news editorials and reporting note that South Carolina has experienced a compressed schedule of elections following the sudden death of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. That sequence produced a tight calendar of filings, primaries and runoffs, leading some local outlets to urge voters to take advantage of early voting if their choice is settled and to allow others time to review the candidates before Election Day.
Election officials and news outlets underscore two practical points: verify eligibility before voting and carry acceptable photo identification to the polling place. Voters who are unsure about whether they may participate in the Republican runoff should contact their county voter registration and elections office or check scVOTES.gov for clarification.
Unresolved details and where reporting agrees
Local sources consistently report the same early voting dates (Aug. 19–21), daily hours (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), the Aug. 25 runoff date, and the two-candidate GOP runoff between Ralph Norman and Darline Graham. Published vote totals from June—Graham with 109,881 votes (32%) and Norman with 82,627 votes (25%)—appear in multiple local articles. Sources differ only in local editorial commentary about the pace and frequency of elections; they agree on the election mechanics, eligibility rules and where voters should confirm details.
“Voters should verify their eligibility, early voting location and required photo ID before heading to the polls.”
— South Carolina Election Commission guidance as reported by local news outlets.
Quick timeline
- June special Republican primary: Graham 109,881 votes (32%), Norman 82,627 votes (25%), producing a runoff.
- Aug. 14: Published deadline to return absentee application (5 p.m.).
- Aug. 19–21: Early voting period, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Aug. 25: Special Republican primary runoff election (winner advances to Nov. general election).
For sample ballots, to confirm whether you are eligible to vote in the Republican runoff, or to locate your early voting site, visit scVOTES.gov or contact your county voter registration and elections office.
