//Every voter in SC can vote absentee in June primaries without a reason

Every voter in SC can vote absentee in June primaries without a reason

Every voter in South Carolina is now qualified to vote absentee in the June primaries and runoffs

The provision expires on July 1, 2020 and does not apply to any elections after that date.

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CHANGES. >> WE’RE TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION WE CAN AND KNOW THE VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT. JOE: FIVE WEEKS OUT FROM T JUNE PRIMARY, ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE GEARING UP FOR N PROCEDURES AT THE POLLS. >> WE’RE GOING TO BE EQUIPPING OUR POLL MANAGERS WITH MASKS GLOVES, WIPES, SNEEZE SHIELD FROM TAPE TO ENFORCE SOCIAL DISTANCING TO POSTED GUIDELINE FOR VOTERS. SPARTANBURG COUNTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTIONS HENRY LAYE EVEN HAS BARRICADES SET UP TO PROTECT POLL WORKERS. MANY OF WHOM ARE SENIOR CITIZENS FALLING IN THE MOST AT-RISK GROUP TO CATCH COVID-1 >> VOTING MACHINES, THE TABLES, DOOR HANDLES, ANY EQUIPMENT USED AT THE VOTING LOCATION WE’LL WIPE DOWN WITH ALCOHOL OR CLOR WIPE JOE: TO MINIMIZE PHYSICAL CONTACT, VOTERS WHEN THEY CO TO THE POLLS, WILL EACH BE GIVEN A COTTON SWAB TO MAKE THEIR SELECTIONS ON THE BALLOT MARKI DEVICE. >> WILL THE EFFECT OF TH PANDEMIC BE THAT FEWER PEOPLE VOTE OR DO THEY JUST CHANGE HOW THEY VOT JOE: CHRIS WHITMIRE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS ABSENTEE VOT HAVE SOARED WITH VOTERS CONCERNED ABOUT SHOWING UP IN PERSON. BUT TO VOTE ABSENTEE, YOU HAVE TO MEET ONE OF SEVERAL QUALIFICATIONS. >> WE HAVE NO EMERGENCY POWE OR AUTHORITY TO SAY, OK, WE’RE GOING TO INSTITUTE A NEW ABSENTEE REASON OR OPEN IT UP TO NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN VOTE ABSENTEE. JOE: THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS ONLY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN CHANGE THE ELECTION PROCESS. FOR NOW, THE MESSAGE FRO OFFICIALS, MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER BY THE MAY 10 DEADLINE, AND DON’T PROCRASTINATE. JOE RIPLEY, WYFF NEWS 4, SPARTANB

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Every voter in South Carolina is now qualified to vote absentee in the June primaries and runoffs

The provision expires on July 1, 2020 and does not apply to any elections after that date.

Every voter in South Carolina is now qualified to vote absentee in the June primaries and runoffs. Gov. McMaster Wednesday signed into law legislation passed Tuesday by the General Assembly that authorizes any voter to vote absentee in any election in June 2020. The provision expires on July 1, 2020 and does not apply to any elections after that date.“This action by the General Assembly and Governor McMaster, which we greatly appreciate, will go a long way in protecting the health and safety of every South Carolinian,” said Marci Andino, Executive Director of the S.C. State Election Commission. “All voters now have a safe alternative to voting at their polling place in June.”All voters now have two options to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 statewide primaries and runoffs.Vote AbsenteeAny voter can now select Reason 18 – State of Emergency on the absentee application. If voting absentee by mail: Get your application now and return it as soon as possible. Once you receive your ballot, vote the ballot, and return it as soon as possible. If voting absentee in person: Visit your county voter registration office or a satellite absentee location. Click here for a full list of locations. Bring your Photo ID if you have one. Vote on Election DayElection officials are taking steps to protect the health of voters and poll managers: Poll managers will receive special Covid-19 training on applying social distancing and maintaining sanitary conditions in the polling place. Election officials are working to source: Masks, face shields and gloves for poll managers. Sneeze guards for check-in stations. Sanitizing wipes for cleaning common surfaces. Hand sanitizer for voters and poll managers. Cotton swabs for making selections on the touchscreen. Check-in stations and voting equipment will be spaced at least six feet apart. Some polling places will be relocated or consolidated due to the pandemic. Some facilities have declined to be used, and some poll managers have declined to serve. Election officials are working to find new locations and recruit new managers; however, some voters will vote at a different polling place. Voters should prepare by:Making sure your address is up to date. Check your registration. Update your address. Bringing your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID). Checking your polling place at scVOTES.org before going to the polls. Wearing a protective mask if you have one. Bringing your own pen for signing the poll list. Practicing social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others. Being patient. We are all in this together.Additional coronavirus resources:Tracking COVID-19 curve of cases, deaths in the Carolinas, GeorgiaLatest update on coronavirus cases, latest headlines in Carolinas, GeorgiaCOVID-19 maps of Carolinas, Georgia: Latest coronavirus cases by countySign up for WYFF News 4 coronavirus daily newsletter

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Every voter in South Carolina is now qualified to vote absentee in the June primaries and runoffs.

Gov. McMaster Wednesday signed into law legislation passed Tuesday by the General Assembly that authorizes any voter to vote absentee in any election in June 2020.

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The provision expires on July 1, 2020 and does not apply to any elections after that date.

“This action by the General Assembly and Governor McMaster, which we greatly appreciate, will go a long way in protecting the health and safety of every South Carolinian,” said Marci Andino, Executive Director of the S.C. State Election Commission. “All voters now have a safe alternative to voting at their polling place in June.”

All voters now have two options to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 statewide primaries and runoffs.

Vote Absentee

  • Any voter can now select Reason 18 – State of Emergency on the absentee application.
  • If voting absentee by mail:
    • Get your application now and return it as soon as possible.
    • Once you receive your ballot, vote the ballot, and return it as soon as possible.
  • If voting absentee in person:

Vote on Election Day

  • Election officials are taking steps to protect the health of voters and poll managers:
    • Poll managers will receive special Covid-19 training on applying social distancing and maintaining sanitary conditions in the polling place.
    • Election officials are working to source:
      • Masks, face shields and gloves for poll managers.
      • Sneeze guards for check-in stations.
      • Sanitizing wipes for cleaning common surfaces.
      • Hand sanitizer for voters and poll managers.
      • Cotton swabs for making selections on the touchscreen.
    • Check-in stations and voting equipment will be spaced at least six feet apart.
  • Some polling places will be relocated or consolidated due to the pandemic. Some facilities have declined to be used, and some poll managers have declined to serve. Election officials are working to find new locations and recruit new managers; however, some voters will vote at a different polling place.
  • Voters should prepare by:
  • Making sure your address is up to date.
  • Bringing your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).
  • Checking your polling place at scVOTES.org before going to the polls.
  • Wearing a protective mask if you have one.
  • Bringing your own pen for signing the poll list.
  • Practicing social distancing by spacing yourself at least six feet apart from others.
  • Being patient. We are all in this together.

Additional coronavirus resources:

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