As a result of issues caused by Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the piedmont area of the state, South Carolina is extending voter registration an extra 7 days to October 14.
After Helene left hundreds of thousands without power for days, among the other issues caused, the South Carolina Democratic Party’s lawsuit to extend the registration deadlines for voting in person, online, and by mail was allowed to go through with the help of a circuit court judge.
In a statement after the ruling, SCDP Chair Christale Spain had this to say, “We are pleased the voter registration deadline has been extended. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an issue of the public good and ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone.”
A win for the 2024 election, the state has a history of extending registration deadlines for South Carolina voters following major storms in the recent past: the registration date was extended after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and again in 2018 after Hurricane Florence.
Before the extension, voters would have had to register in person by Oct 4, online by Oct 6, or by mail by Oct 7. However, as per the judge’s ruling, all deadlines have now been extended to Oct 14.
To register online, go to https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/ovr/start or fax the appropriate form to the local county board of voter registration. If you prefer to vote by mail, the registration form must be postmarked by Oct 14, and sent to the county board of voter registration.
For in-person registration, prospective voters will need to visit their county’s Voter Registration and Election Office, or at any of the other following government offices: Armed Forces Recruiting Stations, the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Social Services, the Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the Department of Health and Human Services.