SC extends voter registration because of Hurricane Helene. This is the new deadline
The deadline to register in person, online or by mail to vote in South Carolina’s November election was extended until Monday, Oct. 14.
After Hurricane Helene devastated much of South Carolina, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and claiming more than 40 lives, a circuit court judge sided with the South Carolina Democratic Party’s lawsuit to extend registration deadlines.
“We are pleased the voter registration deadline has been extended,” said SCDP Chair Christale Spain in a statement. “This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an issue of the public good and ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone.”
This isn’t the first time the Palmetto State has extended deadlines in response to a major storm. Registration was extended both in 2016, after Hurricane Matthew, and 2018, after Hurricane Florence.
Previously, voters had to register in person by Oct. 4, online by Oct. 6 or by mail by Oct. 7. Under the judge’s ruling, however, all deadlines have been extended to Oct. 14.
To get registered in person, you can visit your county’s Voter Registration and Election Office, which you can locate online here, or at any of the following government offices:
Armed Forces Recruiting Stations
Commission for the Blind
Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Department of Health and Environmental Control
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Mental Health
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Social Services
Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation Department
You can also register online here or by emailing or faxing your form to your county board of voter registration.
If you’d prefer to register by mail, your registration form must be postmarked to send to your county board of voter registration by Oct. 14.
To check whether you’re already registered, visit the South Carolina Election Commission website. If you’ve registered in South Carolina before but need to update your address, first change it with the DMV, then update your voter registration address by:
Submitting an online form
Mailing, emailing or faxing a form to your county board of voter registration
Filling out the back of your voter registration card and mailing it back to your county board of voter registration
This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 6:00 AM.