South Carolina Heads to Polls Tuesday for Senate and Governor Showdown
Voters in the Palmetto State will decide control of key statewide offices and local boards in the 2026 midterm election.
By Nadia Singh ·
South Carolina voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to select the state’s next governor and decide the outcome of a competitive U.S. Senate race. The general election serves as the midpoint check on the executive branch and legislative balance in the state, following the standard four-year presidential cycle. Polling locations across the state will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
The contest for the U.S. Senate seat pits Republican Sen. Darline Graham against Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews. Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, currently holds the office and is seeking re-election. The governor’s race features Republican state Rep. Ralph Norman competing against Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson. These two statewide contests will determine the political direction of the state’s top leadership for the next term.
Beyond the top of the ticket, residents in Chester and Chesterfield counties near the Charlotte region will vote on specific tax referendums tied to local infrastructure projects. Other voters across the state will elect members to the U.S. House and the state House, as well as local positions such as school board members and sheriffs. The election covers a mix of legislative seats and executive roles at both the federal and municipal levels.
State law requires voters to present a photo identification at their assigned polling place. Acceptable forms include a South Carolina driver’s license, a state DMV ID card, a U.S. passport, a voter registration card with a photo, and a military ID. If a voter arrives without the required identification, election officials will allow them to cast a provisional ballot. That vote will only count if the voter brings valid photo ID to their county elections office before the final certification of general election results.
Voters are assigned to specific polling locations based on their registered home address. The state’s MyscVOTES tool allows residents to preview their specific ballot content online prior to the vote. Election tracking for these races will begin immediately after polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Anyone standing in line at the polling location by 7 p.m. retains the right to cast a ballot. The election marks the first major test of the political landscape since the last presidential cycle, with results expected to shift power in several local offices as well as the state capital in Columbia.
