Pre-18 voter registration in South Carolina
In South Carolina 72,725 people turn 18 every year.
South Carolinians can pre-register before turning 18.
pre-register before turning To register to vote in South Carolina, you must be: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026. (18 by the general election, starting over even years).
That means most eligible seniors and many juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18*.
*In South Carolina, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote.
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in South Carolina
Upcoming Statewide or Federal Elections:
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - South Carolina General Election (Register by Oct 4th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for South Carolina.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in South Carolina.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
To submit a voter registration application by mail in South Carolina, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in South Carolina you must:
be a United States citizen
be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
be a resident of South Carolina in the county and precinct in which you are registering
claim the address on your voter registration application as your only legal place of residence and claim no other place as your legal residence
not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
never have been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
Online Instructions
To register online in South Carolina, you need a Social Security number and either a South Carolina driver’s license or a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) ID. If you don’t have a South Carolina-issued ID, you can still register by mail.
More information here.
South Carolina High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
South Carolina Requirements for High School Voter Registration
Every high school shall make voter registration application forms available to its students.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Jul 6th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Jun 22nd, 2026.
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
