S.C. State Election Commission offers Q&A on runoff elections

COLUMBIA — The S.C. State Election Commission offers these questions and answers about Tuesday’s primary election.

Q. I voted in the Democratic Primary. Am I eligible to vote in a runoff?

A. Maybe. There are no statewide Democratic runoffs, so whether a Democratic primary voter is eligible to vote in a runoff depends on the county and districts in which the voter resides. There are five counties with countywide Democratic runoffs: Dillon, Fairfield, Hampton, Kershaw and Richland. Any Democratic Primary voter in these counties is eligible to vote Tuesday. There are four counties with Democratic runoffs for district offices: Barnwell, Charleston, Chester and Jasper. Voters in those counties should check to see if they are in the specific district where the runoffs are occurring. Voters who voted in the Democratic primary, and who reside outside of these counties and districts, are not eligible to vote Tuesday.

Q. I voted in the Republican primary. Am I eligible to vote in a runoff?
A. Yes. There are Republican runoffs for statewide offices, so every Republican primary voter in the state will be eligible to vote in a runoff.

Q. If I voted in one party’s primary, can I vote in the other party’s runoff?
A. No. If you voted in a party’s primary, you can vote only in the runoff of the same party.

Q. I didn’t vote in the June 8 primary. Can I vote in the runoff?
A. Yes. If you were eligible but did not vote in the June 8 primaries, you can vote in either party’s runoff.

Q. What candidates and/or offices are in the primary runoffs?
A. The candidates and offices on a particular ballot will differ depending on the primary in which you’re voting (Republican or Democratic), and the county and districts in which you reside. To find out what candidates will appear on your ballot visit www.scvotes.org or call your county election commission.

Q. What do I need to take with me to the polls to vote?
A.You will be required to show any one of the following items to vote:

• Voter registration card*
  
• Driver’s license
  
• ID card issued by the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles

Q. What hours will the polls be open?
A. Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Q. Where do I vote?

A. At the polling place in your precinct. Your precinct and polling place are listed on your voter registration card. However, it’s possible your polling place may have changed since the card was issued. To be sure of the location of your polling place:

• Visit www.SCVotes.org and use the “Check Your Voter Registration” tool found under “Voters” in the menu. Your voter registration record includes your precinct and polling place.
  
• Call your county voter registration office.

Q. When/where will results be reported?
A. Unofficial results will be reported by the SEC at www.SCVotes.org in real time as we receive them from each county election commission.

Q. How is the winner determined in a runoff?
A. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins.

Q. When is a recount necessary?
A. When the difference between any candidate declared nominated and any other candidate not declared nominated is 1 percent or less of the total votes cast for all candidates for that office, a recount is mandatory.

Q. I’ve lost my voter registration card. Can I still vote?

A. Yes. Voters may also vote with their driver’s license or a DMV issued ID card. Voters may also go to the voter registration office on Election Day and get a duplicate card

Q. I’ve moved since the last election and haven’t updated by voter registration card. Can I still vote?
A. If the voter…
1. …has moved to another residence within his precinct, he can vote at his polling place but must first fill out a change of address form.
2. …has moved to a different precinct within his county, he is eligible vote a failsafe ballot.
3. …moved to another residence in another county within 30 days of the primary, he is eligible to vote a failsafe ballot.
4. …moved to another residence in another county prior to 30 days before the primary, he is not eligible to vote.
Two options for voting failsafe:
1. The voter may vote at the polling place in his previous precinct using a failsafe ballot.
2. The voter may go to the voter registration office in the county in which he currently resides, change his address, and vote there.

Q. Can candidates or their representatives take people to the polls to vote?
A. Yes.

Q. I saw a candidate/member of candidate’s campaign at my polling place talking to voters. Can he do that?
A. Yes, but there are restrictions:

• Inside the polling place: No campaigning is allowed. Candidates may be inside the polling place and talk to voters as long as they are not campaigning, intimidating voters, or interfering with the election process.
  
• Within 200 feet of an entrance to a polling place: Candidates and campaign staff may campaign as long as they are not intimidating voters or interfering with the election process. However, no campaign literature, signs, or posters are allowed. Candidates are allowed to wear a badge no larger than 4.25 inches by 4.25 inches featuring only the candidate’s name and office sought. Candidates must remove their badge upon entering a polling place.
  
• Outside 200 feet of an entrance to a polling place: does not fall under the jurisdiction of the poll clerk.

Q. A candidate is definitely campaigning while in the polling place, or there is campaign literature within 200 feet of the entrance. What can I do?
A. Inform the poll clerk immediately. If the issue is not resolved, contact the county election commission and inform them of the situation. The election commission will address the complaint.

Q. Do employers have to give you time off to vote?
A. No. There is no state or federal law mandating that employers must give time off to employees to cast their vote. Voters who know they will not be able to visit the polls on election Day should apply to vote absentee before the day of the election.

Q. When I left the polls, I was asked to participate in an “exit poll.” Is this legal?
A. Exit polls are legal and participation is voluntary. They are NOT conducted by the State Election Commission or the county election commissions. Generally, polls may not be conducted inside the polling place, and we ask that voters not be approached before they have voted. If a voter feels threatened or intimidated by a pollster, it should be reported immediately to the precinct’s poll clerk.

Q. Can alcoholic beverages be sold on the day of the runoff?
A. Yes. State law only prohibits retail liquor sales on the day of the general election.

Q. Where can I file a complaint about the election?
A. Any complaints regarding the election can be addressed to your county election commission.