SC primary elections are underway. See live updates, what to know to vote – Greenville Online

Today, June 9, is the 2026 South Carolina primary, and voters have the opportunity to decide who will be on the ballot for some key political positions in the November midterm election.
Early voting in South Carolina wrapped up on Friday, June 5, with record-breaking numbers reported across the state. Now, voters who missed the early voting window have the chance to cast their ballots for who they believe will be the best candidate to move forward to the November election.
On Tuesday, June 9, voters will have the chance to vote in key races such as governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House, as well as other important state and local offices.
Here’s what voters need to know as they head to the polls.
Hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians turned out for early voting as candidates wrap up their final days of campaigning.
Almost 320,000 people filled out their ballots during the early voting period for this year’s primaries that ended on June 5, according to the South Carolina State Election Commission. This year’s early voting turnout shatters the levels seen during the 2024 and 2022 statewide primaries, which had about 120,000 and 101,000 ballots submitted early.
–Bella Carpentier
Several high-profile races are on the ballot this year, including the governor’s office, every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, one U.S. Senate seat and every seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Many candidates spent their day of campaigning before election day on get out the vote tours as they try to win over as many voters as possible.
Charleston pediatrician Annie Andrews, a candidate for Senate, held a rally on Monday in Charleston to energize voters, while DOGE SC founder Rom Reddy, a candidate for governor, connected with voters in Conway.
Two Republicans running for office — Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina — held a joint telephone rally with President Donald Trump on June 8. Both candidates are using endorsements by Trump to win over Republican voters before the primaries.
During the phone rally, Trump commended Graham’s support for conservative policies, including one that would require someone to show proof of citizenship before voting. He added that Evette is “MAGA all the way.”
“I just want to let you know Pam and Lindsey have my complete and total endorsement,” Trump said.
Candidates will be hosting watch parties across the state on June 9 as election results start to come in. Some races, however, may not be determined by the June 9 election results. If a candidate fails to get at least 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates.
Races with numerous candidates and tight polling, like the governor’s race, are likely to have a runoff.
–Bella Carpentier
The first voters for the 2026 South Carolina primary were up early to cast their ballots in the Upstate.
In Anderson, Kris Harju, of Anderson, was the first to vote at her precinct on Tuesday morning, June 9. She and other early bird voters were in line waiting to be checked in ahead of the 7 a.m. poll opening time.
Check out the photos from the start of primary election day below.
-Ken Ruinard and Joyce Orlando
Make sure to grab an umbrella or a rain jacket before you head out to the polls today.
The National Weather Service’s predictions as of 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, indicate strong chances of rain throughout the day and into the evening for much of Upstate South Carolina. And the weather service isn’t ruling out the chance of a thunderstorm.
Here’s the latest forecast:
Tuesday, June 9: Showers likely before 11 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
-Joyce Orlando
Polls across Greenville and the rest of South Carolina are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters can vote in the 2026 South Carolina primary election on Tuesday, June 9.
If you are already registered, you can vote early with no additional steps; just bring your photo ID to any voting center in your county.
Once registered, you do not need to re‑register unless you move, change your name, or haven’t voted in several cycles and were removed from the rolls.
Voters can find their polling location using the South Carolina Election Commission’s online tools, which provide precinct information.
With Check My Polling Place, you can confirm where you’ll vote during the primary and on Election Day by entering your name, county, and date of birth.
Not sure who you will be voting for on June 9, you can find out who will be on your ballot, where you will vote and your registration status at the South Carolina Election Commission at scvotes.gov.
Election Day for the 2026 midterm elections is Nov. 3.

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