South Carolina Voting Rights & Election Laws 2026
Voter ID requirements, mail voting, early voting access, felony disenfranchisement, and election law political context in South Carolina.
Strict Photo ID
Voter ID Requirement
No
Universal Mail Voting
2
Early Voting Days
#45
Access Rank (1=most open)
Voting Access Overview
South Carolina has strict photo ID, only 2 days of early voting, absentee with excuse, and felony disenfranchisement during both incarceration and probation. The state has significant voting access limitations.
Election Law Details
| Policy | Status |
|---|---|
| Voter ID Requirement | Strict Photo ID |
| Mail / Absentee Voting | Absentee with Excuse |
| Early Voting Days | 2 |
| Automatic Voter Registration | No |
| Same-Day Registration | No |
| Felony Disenfranchisement | Post-sentence (probation too) |
| Access Rank Nationally | #45 of 50 |
Political Context
South Carolina Republicans maintain restrictive voting policies. The state was subject to Voting Rights Act preclearance before Shelby County. Redistricting has been litigated, including the 6th Congressional District map that was found to have racially discriminated.