Judge Grants Extension of Voter Registration Deadline Following South Carolina Democratic Party Lawsuit

Columbia, SC — Circuit Court Judge Daniel Coble has extended South Carolina’s voter registration deadline for all forms of registration to October 14. On Thursday, the South Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit asking the state court to order the South Carolina Election Commission to extend voter registration deadlines due to Hurricane Helene’s impact across the state.

This extension ensures that citizens across the state will have additional time to register to exercise their right to vote despite the challenges presented by the storm.

“We are pleased the voter registration deadline has been extended. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an issue of the public good and ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone, said SCDP Chair Christale Spain. 

The new voter registration deadlines are as follows:

 - In-person registration: now extended to October 14, 2024

- Online registration: now extended to October 14, 2024

- Mail-in registration: must be postmarked by October 14, 2024

The court recognized the need for additional time due to these disruptions, following a precedent set after Hurricane Florence in 2018 when Attorney General Alan Wilson filed suit to extend the voter registration deadline.

“The state party had little choice but to go to court to ask for an extension because neither the Attorney General nor Governor McMaster, who was involved in the effort in 2018 to extend the deadline, did so this year,” said SCDP Executive Director Jay Parmley. “I guess the only difference was that Alan Wilson’s and Henry McMaster’s names were on the ballot in 2018, and they are not this year. I’m still surprised that neither of our state’s highest elected officials has done anything to extend the voter registration deadline in 2024.”

For additional information on voter registration or disaster recovery resources, please visit scdp.org or scvotes.gov.