Elections
South Carolina 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The South Carolina 2026 congressional primary is June 9, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Primary Election · June 9, 2026
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the South Carolina 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in South Carolina are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View South Carolina representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
South Carolina's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Lindsey Graham (R). Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
South Carolina's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
South Carolina holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Runoff Election: South Carolina may hold a primary runoff on June 23, 2026. A runoff occurs when if no candidate wins a majority (50%+1). The top two candidates from the original primary face each other in the runoff.
South Carolina 2026 Election Key Dates
| June 9, 2026 | Primary Election |
| June 23, 2026 | Primary Runoff — if needed |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in South Carolina
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare South Carolina's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the South Carolina primary election in 2026?
The South Carolina 2026 congressional primary is June 9, 2026. If no candidate wins the required threshold, a runoff will be held on June 23, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
When is the South Carolina primary runoff in 2026?
South Carolina holds a primary runoff on June 23, 2026. A runoff is triggered when if no candidate wins a majority (50%+1). The runoff is between the top two finishers from the original primary.
Can I vote in the South Carolina primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the South Carolina 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in South Carolina are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Lindsey Graham (R). Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does South Carolina use?
South Carolina holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the South Carolina voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the South Carolina Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the South Carolina general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.