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2024 Election Guide: Beginner's Guide to Voting

Beginner's guide to voting

Voting the first few times can be confusing. This step-by-step guide can help first-time voters understand the basics of elections and help them vote in ways that best represent them. 

WHERE DO I START?

The voting process varies by state so for this guide we will focus on the process in South Carolina.  Any information not covered in this guide may also be found online either under their FAQs page or specific categories of the site.

Most of the time, people register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver's licenses. If you don't know if you are registered to vote, This link will help you confirm if you have previously registered to vote.

Registering online is easy and can take just a few minutes. Clicking on the above link for online voter registration

You can also register to vote in person, by email, or by fax. Use the above link to download the form and return it by your preferred method

IN-PERSON: 

Aiken County Board of Voter Registration & Elections

1930 University Parkway

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 642-2028

MAIL:

Aiken County Board of Voter Registration & Elections

Post Office Box 3127

Aiken, SC  29802

FAX: (803) 642-2029

EMAIL: cholland@aikencountysc.gov

Clicking on this link will bring you to a calendar of upcoming South Carolina elections

South Carolina implemented early voting in 2022. Early voting makes the process of casting your vote easier by allowing voters to cast their ballots during specific dates and times before election day at multiple locations in the county and not just their precinct.  

The above link provides early voting locations and dates for all South Carolina counties. 

Aiken County 2024 Early Voting Information: 

What to Bring: 

  • One of the following IDs:
    • A valid SC driver's license 
    • State of South Carolina government ID card
    • Voter's registration card
    • US Passport
    • Military ID
  • What if you don't have any of the above documents:
    • You can go to the DMV for a same-day photo ID
    • If you cannot get to the DMV, you can bring your voter registration card and fill out a provisional ballot at the polling place. 

Dates:

  • Democratic Presidential Primary

    Monday, January 22 – Friday, February 2. (Closed Sunday, January 28.)

    Republican Presidential Primary

    Monday, February 12 – Thursday, February 22. (Closed Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19.)

    Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. during the early voting periods.

Location:

  • County Voter Registration and Elections Office: 1930 University Parkway, Suite 1200, Aiken, SC 29801

The above link is the same link used to find out if you have registered to vote. If you are registered to vote, your voter information will include your precinct location and address. If you decide not to vote during early voting, on election day, you will have to vote at the specific place indicated in your voter's information. Election day is typically the Tuesday after the 1st Monday in the month of November. This year, election day falls on November 5th, 2024. 

WHAT DO I DO WHILE I WAIT FOR THE POLLS TO OPEN?

You can locate your sample ballot through your voter's information. The above link is the same link used to confirm if you are registered and to identify your precinct location. You will see the option to view your sample ballot. Details on the 2024 Aiken County Ballot are located under the tab above labeled Aiken County Ballot Information. 

I VOTED....... NOW WHAT?

Now that you have voted, you can keep track of the election results through your local media outlet on Election Day, or you can check the above link after all the votes have been tallied to see the final numbers.