September 17 is National Voter Registration Day!
The 2024 General Election is Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and I want to ensure every Columbia Housing resident has the resources they need to cast their vote. Below you will fine some helpful information to help you get registered to vote, check your existing voter registration or access your sample ballot, on the second page you will find information on early voting and absentee voting.
Today is National Voter Registration Day and the perfect time to register to vote, check to make sure your registration is valid and to ask any other questions you may have about the voting process.
Make your voice heard on November 5th and VOTE!
Yvonda A. Bean, Columbia Housing CEO
To vote in the November 5, 2024 Election, please note these voter registration deadlines:
In person registration deadline: Friday, October 4, 2024
Online registration deadline: Sunday, October 6, 2024
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by Monday, October 7, 2024
Who can register to vote in South Carolina?
In order to vote, South Carolina law requires one must first register to vote 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 in the county and precinct in which you are registering
- Not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
- No 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.
ID Required to Register
If registering to vote by mail or in person, provide a copy of one of the following items:
- Any current, valid Photo ID; or
- A utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government document showing your name and address in your county
Students
- Students may register to vote where they reside while attending college. This could be at an address in the college community (e.g. a dormitory) or at an address you intend to return to while not in the college community (e.g., family home).
- Many college students who live on campus receive their mail at a campus post office box. These student must register at the physical address of their dormitory. The student's P.O. Box can be provided for mailing and contact purposes.
Early Voting
Early voting allows for ALL registered voters to vote in person prior to election day. Take a look at the information below to see WHEN and WHERE you can vote early.
Early Voting Period for the 2024 General Election:
Monday, October 21 - Saturday, November 2. (Closed Sunday, October 27)
Richland County Early Voting Locations
Voters can visit any early voting center in their county during the early voting period, preset their Photo ID, and vote using the voting system like they would at their polling place on election day.
Early voter centers are open 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM during the early voting period.
Richland County Voter Registration & Election Office
Address: 2020 Hampton St, SC 29204
Richland County Early Voting Location 2011
Address: 2011 Hampton St, SC 29204
Ballentine Park
Address: 1053 Bird Rd, Irmo SC 29063
Garners Ferry Complex AAC
Address: 8620 Garners Ferry Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061
University of South Carolina Blatt PE Center
Address: 1400 Wheat St, Columbia, SC 29201
The Brook Church
Address: 8328 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
Absentee Voting
Absentee Voting allows qualified voters to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day. Take a look at the information below to see WHO can vote absentee, HOW to request your ballot, and WHAT the deadlines are for returning your absentee ballot.
WHO can vote absentee in the 2024 General Election:
- Persons with jobs which prevent them from voting during the early voting period or on election day.
- Persons caring for a sick or physically disabled person which prevents them from voting during the early voting period or on election day.
- Persons confined to jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial which prevents them from voting during the early voting period or on election day.
- Persons who will be absent from their county of residence during the early voting period or on election day.
- Persons with physical disabilities.
- Persons sixty-five years of age or older.
- Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.
- Persons admitted to a hospital as an emergency patient on the day of the election or within a four-day period before the election.
How to request and return an absentee ballot:
Call the Richland County Voter Registration Office at 803.576.2240 to request an application for absentee voting. You MUST call to request your application by 5:00 PM on October 25, 2024.
Complete and sign your application and return it to the Richland County Voter Registration Office as soon as possible.
Complete and sign your ballot as soon as it arrives.
Return it via mail using the provided instructions or return it in person to the Richland County Voter Registration Office by 7 PM on Election Day.
CH Votes is a non-partisan resident activity solely designed for the purpose of Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization for families served by Columbia Housing. Columbia Housing has actively engaged our residents in the voting process for decades. CH Votes, for us, is placing a brand around what we have and will continue to do to engage our residents in exercising their civic duty of voting in all local, state, and national elections. Voting is a vital part of our democracy and Columbia Housing will work to ensure all of its families know their rights, make a plan, and exercise their right to vote in 2024 and beyond.
