CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Polling locations across South Carolina will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, but officials expect lower turnout for races that include several Lowcountry mayoral contests.
Click here for the Live 5 2025 Voter Guide.
Voters will elect mayors in Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Lincolnville.
More than 3.35 million people are registered to vote statewide. In the Tri-County area, Charleston County has 272,000 registered voters, Berkeley County has about 155,000, and Dorchester County has just under 105,000.
Greenville County has the most registered voters in the state with just under 341,000, while Allendale County has the fewest at about 4,000.
Lower turnout expected for local races
Election officials expect voter turnout of around 20% with only local elections on the ballot and no statewide, presidential or Senate races.
Several mayoral races are taking place across the Lowcountry, including in Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms and Folly Beach. Long lines are still expected at polling locations.
“Municipal elections just don’t have the same level of engagement. Although it’s not national headlines, they are local issues that affect each one of us, our day-to-day lives,” Isaac Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections, said. “So our goal is just let people know that there’s an election. There’s time, still, to do your research, look up the candidates. But know that today’s election does impact your day-to-day life.”
Voting requirements and accessibility
Voters must bring a photo ID to cast their ballot, but a Real ID is not required.
Click here to verify your voter registration, get a sample ballot or find your voting location.
Absentee ballots must be returned to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections by 7 p.m.
All polling locations offer accessible parking spots, doorways, railings and paths. Residents with disabilities may receive help during the voting process but must tell a poll manager if assistance is needed. Voters can choose anyone to help except their employer, an agent of their employer, or an officer or agent of their union.
Curbside voting is available for those with disabilities or voters 65 years or older. Poll managers monitor the area every 15 minutes to assist anyone who cannot stand in line.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find their polling location and candidate information at scvotes.gov.
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