COLUMBIA, S.C. — Polling places across South Carolina opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday and stay open until 7 p.m. for a general election that will put a new governor in office for the first time since 2017 and settle the U.S. Senate seat once held by the late Lindsey Graham.
Gov. Henry McMaster cannot run again because of the two-term limit, and no governor in South Carolina history has held the job longer. Attorney General Alan Wilson, the Republican nominee after a runoff against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, faces Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, Green Party candidate Walid Hakim and Michael Addison of the United Citizens Party. Wilson has run on public safety, school choice and road and bridge work, and Johnson, a former pro basketball player, has focused on family and community issues.
In the Senate race, interim Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed after her brother died, is the Republican on the ballot. She faces Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, along with Libertarian Kasie Whitener and Mark Hackett of the Constitution Party. Andrews has stressed health care costs and possible Medicaid cuts, while Graham has campaigned on tax cuts, job training and border security with President Donald Trump backing her.
Seven more statewide offices are on the ballot. Solicitor David Stumbo, a Republican, and Democrat Richard Hricik are running for attorney general. Secretary of State Mark Hammond seeks a seventh term against Democrat Jason Belton, and Treasurer Curtis Loftis wants a fifth term against Democrat Vincent Coe. The comptroller general seat has no incumbent for the first time since 1998, with Republican Mike Burkhold facing Democrat Tiffany Boozer. Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver is seeking a second term, and Republican Cody Simpson and Democrat DeShawn Blanding lead the field for agriculture commissioner. State House seats are also up, with Democrats trying to end the Republican supermajority.
Voters need a current photo ID at the polls. Accepted cards include a South Carolina driver license or DMV ID card, a concealed weapons permit, a federal military ID, a U.S. passport or a voter registration card with a photo. Anyone who forgets the ID can cast a provisional ballot, and it counts if the voter shows the ID to the county elections office before certification. A voter who could not get a photo ID can bring the non-photo registration card and sign an affidavit explaining the obstacle.
Completed absentee ballots are due at county voter registration offices no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday. Polling place details are printed on each voter registration card and posted on the State Election Commission website.
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