Early voting is SC law. How that’ll impact voting in York, Lancaster, Chester counties
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the recent early voting law that was enacted Friday.
South Carolina’s 2022 statewide primary is a month away, but voters can start requesting absentee by-mail ballots this week.
However, Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill on Friday that established early voting in the state. That too will impact absentee voting.
The primaries will include contests for governor, state superintendent, Congress, S.C. House seats, and several county council seats in York, Lancaster and Chester counties.
Here’s what you should know.
Absentee voting
Residents in York, Lancaster and Chester counties, if approved for absentee voting, can cast by-mail ballots in a handful of races where there is more than one candidate in a specific party. Primary winners will go on to the general election in November.
Absentee by-mail voting is available to anyone who is unable to travel to the polls on the June 14 primary election day, or during the early-voting period. Those who are 65 or older, cannot vote on election day or during early voting for employment reasons, or who will be out of town on election day or during early voting can qualify for absentee voting, according to the South Carolina Election Commission.
More information on absentee voting qualifications, or applications, can be found on the South Carolina Election Commission’s website. You also can call, email, or go in person to your county’s voter registration office. Voters can return the application by mail or in person.
County offices soon will issue new applications based on updated requirements, but offices will continue to accept the old absentee application through May 31.
After May 31, only new applications will be accepted and the deadline to return a new application is June 3. Voters then will receive an absentee ballot by mail, and voters must return completed ballots by mail or in person to their local county office by 7 p.m. on June 14.
What to know about early voting
In-person absentee voting has been replaced with a two-week early voting period, which will start on May 31 and end on June 10.
Early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at local county voter registration offices. York County’s is at 6 South Congress Street in York. Lancaster County’s is at 101 North Main Street in Lancaster. Chester County’s is at 109 Ella Street in Chester.
Any additional early voting sites will be determined by counties no later than May 24.
York County races
Republican Primary
York County Council District 3:
▪ Tommy Adkins (R)
▪ Steve Brown (R)
▪ Brad Lessmeister (R)
The winner will face Democrat Michael Schonfeld in November.
York County Council District 7:
▪ Debi Cloninger (R)
▪ Patrick White (R)
No Democratic candidate has filed to run for the seat.
Lancaster County races
Republican Primary
Probate Judge:
▪ Incumbent Mary Rathel (R)
▪ Crystal Johnson (R)
No Democratic candidate has filed to run for the seat.
County Council District 4:
▪ Rev Johnson (R)
▪ Jose Luis (R)
No Democratic candidate has filed to run for the seat.
Chester County races
Republican Primary
County Council District 1:
▪ John Agee (R)
▪ Nathan Smith (R)
No Democratic candidate has filed to run for the seat.
Democratic Primary
County Council District 5:
▪ Corey Guy (D)
▪ Tammy Williams (D)
No Republican candidate has filed to run for the seat.
County Council At Large:
▪ William King (D)
▪ Alex Oliphant (D)
The winner will face Libertarian David Beverley, Sr. and Republican Erin Mosley in November.
Statewide races
Voters in York, Lancaster and Chester counties will have an array of statewide races to decide, including those for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state superintendent of education and commissioner of agriculture.
Voters also will also need to vote for seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, including the state’s 5th Congressional District. Three candidates filed to run against incumbent Republican Ralph Norman for the seat that represents York, Lancaster and Chester counties.
Two Democrats Kevin Eckert and Evangeline Hundley will face off in the primary. The winner will go on to challenge Norman and Larry Gaither, a Green Party member, in November.
Here’s the S.C. House races voters in the three counties will decide in the statewide Republican primary:
S.C. House of Representatives District 43 (includes Chester and York)
▪ Incumbent Randy Ligon (R)
▪ Mark Corral (R)
No Democratic candidate filed for this seat.
S.C. House of Representatives District 44 (includes Lancaster)
▪ Solomon Goldiamond (R)
▪ Mike Neese (R)
The winner will face Independent Aaron McKinney and Democrat Katie Crosby in November.
S.C. House of Representatives District 46 (includes York)
▪ Barry Baker (R)
▪ Heath Sessions (R)
No Democratic candidate has filed for this seat.
S.C. House of Representatives District 48 (includes York)
▪ Elizabeth Enns (R)
▪ Brandon Guffey (R)
▪ Jamie Michelle Henrickson (R)
The winner will face Democrat Andrew Russell in November.
This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
