ANDERSON, SC (April 23, 2020) – Absentee voting for the Statewide Primaries is being considered by more voters than before. COVID-19 pandemic along with social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders have voters concerned about how to cast their ballots safely.
Absentee voting by mail is one option for voters who are age 65 and older, who has a disability, who is a caregiver, or who can’t go to the polls due to their job. If you meet one of these or any of the other qualifying reasons, you can vote early by absentee ballot. “In addition, we are asking voters that would normally vote curbside at the polls to consider voting absentee by mail. They qualify,” said Katy Smith, Director.
As of today, nearly 600 absentee ballots had been requested in the county. The Anderson County Election Board wants you to know how to vote absentee and the deadlines for doing so.
One Way to Vote Absentee:
By Mail – Voters should consider U.S. Postal Service transit times in choosing to vote absentee by mail. First class mail may take 2-5 days to arrive at its destination. Do not delay. Make requests now.
Step 1: Get an absentee application in one of two ways:
· Get the application online at scVOTES.org. Follow this link to get your application online. To get your application online, you must be able to print your application.
· Request an application from your county voter registration office by: Phone (864)260-4035, Mail to PO Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622, Email at acvote.org, or Fax (864) 260-4203. You will be mailed an application.
Step 2: Complete and sign the application.
Step 3: Mail, fax or email the application to your county voter registration office as soon as possible. Voters who return applications will be mailed a ballot as soon as they are available.
Step 4: Vote the ballot following ballot instructions and return it to your county voter registration office no later than 7:00 p.m. on June 8. You may return the ballot to our office in person or by mail.
Voting absentee by mail is clearly a safer alternative to casting a ballot for those voters that are vulnerable or concerned of possible exposure. “If this is a consideration and option for a voter then I encourage them to go ahead and make their requests today and not wait,” said Smith.
The second option is voting absentee in-person. This is scheduled to begin in May at the election office.
In Person – Visit your county elections office, complete an application, and cast your ballot. You may vote absentee in person up until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8.
Times- Modified times of operation will be in place until the Governor’s Executive Order has been lifted and a directive has been issued by Administration.
Social Distancing Guideline – Limited numbers of no more than 5 voters will be allowed in the lobby area to be processed. No more than 5 voters will be in the absentee area at one time to cast their ballot. Any and all voters in line waiting to enter the building will be encouraged to allow 6 feet of social distancing.
Click here for historical statistics on voter registration, voter turnout, and absentee voting.
Voters can find more information on absentee voting, check their absentee ballot status, check their voter registration, and get a sample ballot at scVOTES.org.
Voters qualified to vote by absentee ballot:
1. Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents.
2. Members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine serving outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them (click here for additional information).
3. Persons serving with the American Red Cross or United Service Organizations (USO) serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents (click here for additional information).
4. Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on election day.
5. Physically disabled persons.
6. Government employees serving outside their county of residence on Election Day and their spouses and dependents residing with them.
7. Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election.
8. Persons who plan to be on vacation outside their county of residence on Election Day.
9. Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials working on Election Day.
10. Overseas Citizens (click here for additional information).
11. Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons.
12. Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on Election Day or within a four-day period before the election.
13. Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day.
14. Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
15. Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial.
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