Voter Registration

Who Can Register?

In order to vote, South Carolina law requires that one must first register to vote in your county of residence at least 30 days prior to the election. To be eligible to register in South Carolina you MUST:

• be a United States citizen
• be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election
• be a resident of South Carolina, this county, and precinct
• not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
• have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws; OR, if previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.

How can I register to vote (or update my voter registration information) in Pickens County?

Download the form below to register to vote or change your address and/or other information.

The above document is a Portable Document Format (PDF) that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have it installed, you may download a copy free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

You will need to download the application, type in your information, print the application, and then sign the application. If you are registering to vote for the first time in Pickens County, you must also attach a copy of ONE of the following:

• a current valid photo ID that has your correct name and picture
• a current utility bill that shows your name and address in this county
  • for the purposes of registering to vote, the following are considered utility bills: electricity/power, cable, satellite, natural gas, internet, and telephone bills.
• a current bank statement that shows your name and address in this county
• a current paycheck or paycheck stub that shows your name and address in this county
• other government document that shows your name and address in this county

If you do not provide this identification at the time you register, you will be required to provide this information when you vote. Voters who are age 65 and over, voters with disabilities, members of the U.S. Uniformed Services or Merchant Marines and their families, and U.S. Citizens residing outside the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

Once you have completed your application, you may do one of the following to deliver it to us:

• Scan the completed application and save it as either a .jpg or .pdf document.  Then you can send it to us as an attachment by email to staceyf@co.pickens.sc.us. Attachments cannot exceed 4mb in size.
• Fax the completed application to 864-898-5637.
• Mail the completed application to:
  • Pickens County Registration & Elections Commission
  • 222 McDaniel Avenue B-9
  • Pickens, SC 29671

Voter Registration Deadlines

Registration is closed for thirty days prior to any election. The last day to register to vote in any election is the 31st day prior to the election.  Voters who have moved from one county to another must be registered to vote in their new county by the deadline.  Current registered voters who may have moved within Pickens County or changed their name should update their registration information by the deadline.

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You must be registered at least 30 days prior to any election in order to vote in that election. You must be a resident of a city for at least 30-days to vote in its municipal election. Registration by mail applications must be postmarked at least 30 days prior to that particular election to be eligible to vote in the election.

17-Year Olds

Individuals who are not yet 18-years-old, but will turn 18 before the next election, and who otherwise qualify to vote, have the right to register to vote.  To vote in the election, these citizens must register to vote by the voter registration deadline for the election.

Special Note About Primaries - Those who are 17-years old now but will be 18-years old on or before November 6, 2012 can register to vote now.

• As long as they register to vote by December 21, 2011 they will be eligible to vote in the January 21, 2012  Republican Presidential Preference Primary Election.
• As long as they register to vote by May 12, 2012 they will be eligible to vote in the June 12, 2012 Democratic and Republican Primary Elections.

College Students

College students may register to vote where they reside while attending college.  Students can use the following documents as proof of residency:

• a copy of a current, valid photo ID (driver’s license, student ID, DMV-issued ID cards, etc.)
• copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address in the county

Many college students who live on campus receive their mail at a campus post office box. These students must register at the physical address of their dormitory. The student’s P.O. Box can be provided for mailing and contact purposes.

ATTENTION CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: If your address is “_____ University Station Clemson, SC 29632” please know that this is a mailing address ONLY. We need the physical address (E-911 address) of your dorm or apartment you reside in. You may use the University Station address as your mailing address.

If you are planning a voter registration drive at an institution of higher learning, please make sure you have the National Voter Registration Application for students who maintain their residency outside of South Carolina. For a list of addresses of Election Commissions throughout the country please see the Election Assistance Commission web site.

Convictions

Any person who is convicted of a felony or an offense against the election laws is not qualified to register or to vote, unless the disqualification has been removed by service of the sentence, or unless sooner pardoned. Service of sentence includes completion of any prison/jail time, probation, parole, and payment of restitution.

Federal and state courts provide the SC State Election Commission (SEC) with lists of persons convicted of felonies or crimes against the election laws. Those persons are deleted from the state’s list of active, registered voters. The SEC notifies each voter whose name is deleted from the list. Voters have 20 days from the date the notice is mailed to appeal. Appeals must be made to the SEC.

Once a person who was convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws serves his sentence; he may register to vote. To register, the applicant must submit a new voter registration application to his county voter registration office. To participate in any particular election, the applicant must submit the application prior to the 30-day voter registration deadline for that election. In applying, the registrant is swearing under penalty of perjury that he is qualified to register, including having completed his entire sentence. County voter registration boards must be satisfied that the applicant meets the qualifications; and in some cases, could require a person who has lost his voting rights due to conviction to provide some proof that he has completed his sentence.

Check Your Voter Registration Information Online

Note: When checking your voter registration information, you must provide your name, county and date of birth as it appears on your voter registration card in order to view your information.

Check Your Voter Registration Information Here