SC Elections: Polls Open Tuesday as Senate Race Tightens
Voters in the Palmetto State will choose a new governor, a U.S. senator, and a House member on Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Polls in South Carolina opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the state’s 2026 midterm elections.
Voters can cast ballots until 7 p.m., and those in line at the close of business are permitted to vote. The election determines the next governor, one U.S. Senate seat, and one U.S. House district. These contests could alter the balance of power in Congress and state government.
Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson challenges Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson for the governor’s office. Outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster leaves office after serving two elected terms, a record for longevity in the state. Wilson secured the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Current polling shows Wilson with a comfortable lead over Johnson.
The U.S. Senate race draws national attention. Republican Darline Graham Nordone faces Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. Graham Nordone was appointed to the seat following the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who held the position since 2002. She won the Republican primary in a runoff. While Graham held a narrow lead recently, the race is now considered a toss-up. Republicans currently hold a 53-45 majority in the Senate, with two independents typically voting with Democrats. A shift in that majority would likely require Democrats to win this seat.
In the U.S. House, South Carolina’s 1st district is a competitive battleground. Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt runs against Democrat Nancy Lacore. Incumbent Nancy Mace is not seeking re-election, having left the House to pursue the governor’s mansion. The district elected a Democrat in 2018. The Cook Political Report classifies the race as a Lean Republican contest. Honeycutt holds a narrow lead in current polls. Republicans hold a 220-215 majority in the House but are expected to lose control of the chamber this year.
Voters must present a specific form of photo ID to cast a regular ballot. Acceptable documents include a South Carolina driver’s license, South Carolina DMV ID card, South Carolina voter registration card with photo, federal military ID, concealed weapons permit, temporary identification certificate, or U.S. passport. Those who forget their ID can vote provisionally. This ballot counts only if the voter shows a valid ID to the county elections office before certification, which occurs on the Friday after the election. Voters without a photo ID can sign an affidavit stating a reasonable impediment to obtaining one and vote provisionally.
Absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Completed forms can be mailed or delivered personally to the county voter registration office. Voters can review their sample ballot on the South Carolina Election Commission website to prepare for the polls.
