Voters in South Carolina head to the polls for key state and federal races

Polls closed at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in South Carolina for the 2026 general election. Voters cast ballots in races that will determine the state's next governor, a U.S. Senate seat, and one U.S. House seat. Anyone still in line when the doors shut was permitted to cast a ballot.

The governor's race marks the first time since 2017 that South Carolinians have chosen a new executive. Outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster reached his term limit and did not seek re-election. Republican attorney general Alan Wilson secured the party nomination after defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in a runoff. Wilson will face Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson in the general election.

South Carolinians also voted to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham over the summer. President Trump appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of the term. Darline Graham won the Republican nomination in a special primary runoff and will run against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews.

One U.S. House district seat is also on the ballot. The 1st congressional district, currently held by Republican Nancy Mace, is up for election. Mace chose not to run for re-election in the House and instead sought the governor's office. Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Democrat Nancy Lacore are competing for the seat.

Voters who cast absentee ballots had to submit them to their county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day for their votes to count. Those voting in person were required to show specific forms of photo identification, such as a state driver's license, a U.S. passport, or a federal military ID.

Voters who arrived at polling places without photo ID could cast a provisional ballot. These ballots are counted only if the voter presents valid identification to the county elections office before the certification of the election, which takes place on Friday, Nov. 6, following the statewide general election.

Those who could not obtain photo ID were allowed to vote on a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating a reasonable impediment. They could also bring a non-photo voter registration card to the polling place.