South Carolina Election: Wilson Challenges Johnson for Governor
Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with voters deciding the state's next governor, a U.S. Senate seat, and one House district.
By Bianca Herrera ·
South Carolina voters cast their ballots on Tuesday for the 2026 general election. Polling stations closed at 7 p.m. on November 3, though individuals waiting in line at that hour were permitted to vote.
The most prominent race on the ballot is for governor. Outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster reached the state's term limit, ending his tenure. Alan Wilson, the state attorney general, defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the Republican runoff to secure the party's nomination. Wilson will face Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson on Election Day.
Voters also selected a replacement for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Following his death over the summer, President Trump appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to finish his term. Darline Graham won a special Republican primary runoff against other candidates. She now faces Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election for the full Senate seat.
One U.S. House district is also up for decision. Incumbent Republican Nancy Mace chose not to seek re-election in the state's 1st congressional district. Instead, she entered the gubernatorial race. Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Democrat Nancy Lacore are competing for the open House seat.
Voters using mail ballots had to ensure their completed forms arrived at county voter registration offices by 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted. In-person voters were required to present specific forms of photo identification.
Acceptable IDs included a South Carolina driver's license, a DMV ID card, a voter registration card with a photo, a federal military ID, a concealed weapons permit, a temporary identification certificate, or a U.S. passport. Those without photo ID could vote a provisional ballot by signing an affidavit citing a reasonable impediment to obtaining one.
Voters who forgot their photo ID could also cast a provisional ballot. Those ballots would count only if the voter presented valid identification to the county elections office before the election's certification on Friday.
