Early Voting Information

Early voting for the following November 7, 2023 Elections starts Monday, October 23, 2023 - Friday, November 3, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  The early voting centers are closed on Sundays, and legal holidays.

  • Town of Bluffton General Election
  • Town of Port Royal General Election
  • School Bond Referendum Special Election
  • Fripp Island PSD Bond Special Election
  • Town of Yemassee General Election (For eligible Town of Yemassee Beaufort County residents only.  Election conducted by Hampton County)

 

There are four (4) Early Voting Centers (EVC) in Beaufort County:

• Beaufort (Main office) 15 John Galt Rd, Beaufort, SC 29906
  
• Bluffton Recreation Center Gymnasium  61A Ulmer Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910
 
• Hilton Head Government Complex 539 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
 
• St. Helena Branch Library 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Rd., St. Helena Island, SC 29920
  
   
To help smooth the switch from in-person absentee voting to early voting, the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County has provided answers to these frequently asked questions.

Early voting is similar to in-person absentee voting, however you no longer need a reason to vote prior to election day and it is held two (2) weeks prior to an election.

 In-person absentee voting required a reason for voting prior to election day (absentee voting by mail still requires a reason).  With early voting, there are four (4) locations available to process voters.  These locations are open for two (2) weeks prior to an election and have longer voting hours.

 Please note, your precinct is NOT open during this time period for early voting.  Only the four (4) early voting centers are open.  Your precinct will only be open on election day.

An early voting center is a centralized location chosen by the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County that is open two (2) weeks prior to an election (except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) for a certain time to allow voters to vote in person with their acceptable photo ID.  These locations work just like your polling place on election day, except now there are more days to come in and vote.

 NOTE:  YOUR VOTING PRECINCT IS ONLY OPEN ON ELECTION DAY, NOT FOR EARLY VOTING.

 There are four (4) Early Voting Centers in Beaufort County.  (Clicking on the names will open a new link for directions.)

 
 
 

Yes!  As long as you have one of the accepted reasons for voting absentee by mail. 

 Absentee applications and requests for applications can no longer be submitted by email, fax or online. 

 Absentee voting allows qualified voters to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day. In-Person Absentee Voting is no longer authorized by law.

Qualified voters include:
     • Voters with disabilities.
     • Voters sixty-five years of age or older.
     • Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.
     • Voters admitted to hospitals as emergency patients on the day of an election or within a four-day period before the election.
     • Voters who, for one of the following reasons, are unable to vote in person on any day of the early-voting period or on Election Day.
          o Employment obligations.
          o Attending sick or physically disabled persons.
          o Confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial.
          o Absent from their county for any reason.
To vote absentee:
     • Request an absentee application by phone, mail, or in person.
     • Complete, sign and return the application by mail or in person.
          o The deadline to return an absentee application is October 28.
     • You will receive your absentee ballot in the mail.
     • Vote and return your ballot to the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office by mail or in person no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
          o Be sure to sign the voter’s oath.  The witness must print and sign their name.  Anyone age 18 or older can witness your signature.  A notary is not necessary. 
          o Photo ID will be required to return your ballot in person.
          o Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to election day to help ensure timely delivery.
Please contact the office at (843) 255-6900 for additional questions and information.