CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Monday is the first day of early voting in South Carolina, so Charleston County voters can now cast their ballots at one of seven different early voting locations.

More than 100,000 early voters are expected in Charleston County alone, which would be a record number due to a recent law change, said Issac Cramer, executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections.

“We expect early voting to break records for Charleston County due to voter excitement. They want to cast their vote, it’s a presidential election, and also (for) convenience,” Cramer said.

In 2022, the Early Voters Bill was passed, allowing early voters to cast their ballots without giving a reason, making this the first major election where the law will be in effect. Only a valid photo ID is required to check in.

“The Early Voters Bill passed in 2022 gives all voters in Charleston County the opportunity to cast their ballot early without an excuse, in person,… We are trying to get the message across that they no longer need a reason. If they just want to vote early, they can,” Cramer said.

Acceptable forms of photo identification include a South Carolina driver’s license, a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, a South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit, a South Carolina voter registration card with photo, a U.S. military ID, and a U.S. passport.

Cramer encourages people to vote early as it is the more convenient option because voters can choose the location, time and date they want to vote, rather than being limited to 12 hours on Election Day and only having to go to an assigned polling place to go.

“We’ve received a lot of great feedback about our voting centers across the country, and we want our voters to know they can vote in an accessible location; we are offering curbside service everywhere,” Cramer said.

Early voting is open Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and lasts until November 2. CARTA does not offer free rides to the polls during early voting, but it does on Election Day.

Early voters can vote at one of the following seven locations:

• Baxter-Patrick James Island Library, 1858 S Grimball Road, Charleston, SC, 29412
• Elections Headquarters, 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston, SC, 29405
• Essex Village Church of Christ, 736 Savage Road, Charleston, SC, 29414
• Main Library – Downtown Charleston, 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
• Seacoast Church – Mount Pleasant, 750 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464
• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3673 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC, 29455
• St. Paul’s Hollywood Library, 5130 SC-165, Hollywood, SC, 29449

Click here to find early voting locations across the state.

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