Ready, Set, Vote

League of Women Voters^®
of the Charleston Area

October 15, 2008 press release outlining ways you can prepare yourself so that election day is a breeze!

Ready, Set, Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2008
READY, SET, VOTE
League of Women Voters Offers Suggestions to Make Election Day a Breeze.
Charleston--Across South Carolina, the League of Women Voters has helped thousands of new voters to register before the October 4th deadline. Now we are educating citizens about their rights as voters and providing nonpartisan information on the candidates and ballot amendments. We are committed to turning out informed voters on Election Day and ensuring that every vote gets counted.

We know that the races could be extremely tight--and voting lines extremely long. That is why the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area (LWVCA) is asking you to prepare yourself for this important election.

Here are steps you can take before Election Day:

Check your voter registration card to be sure the information is still current. If you recently registered to vote or changed your registration information, you should receive a new voter registration card in the mail with your registration number, precinct and polling place. If your card does not arrive, call your county's Board of Elections and Voter Registration (Berkeley: 719-4056, Charleston: 744-VOTE (8683), Dorchester: 563-0132).

Check to make sure you are on the list of registered voters and to find the location of your polling place. You can do that online at the LWVCA website (http://charleston.sc.lwv.org) or by calling your county's Board of Elections.

Become informed about the issues and the candidates. In addition to the Presidential race, there are many other candidates running for offices at local, state and national levels and three SC constitutional amendment questions. The LWVCA website has a complete listing by county for all candidates running for office. This same website also has nonpartisan voters' guides, links to recent debates and candidate forums, and easy-to-understand explanations for the three proposed state constitutional amendments. In addition, there are links to the websites for the Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester County Boards of Elections, and voters can view a sample ballot at the Charleston County website, http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/BEVR/index.htm. Other sources of useful information are the candidates' websites and nonpartisan sites such as http://www.factcheck.org, which has information to separate fact from fiction in all of the political ads, debates and speeches.

Decide now if you want to vote absentee before Election Day either by absentee ballot or in person at your county's Board of Elections office. All three county election offices have voting machines on site for your use, and you can vote absentee in-person up to 5:00 p.m. on November 3. To request an absentee ballot by mail, contact your county's Board of Elections. For more information on who is eligible to vote absentee, check the LWVCA website or the website for the South Carolina State Election Commission.

Be prepared on Election Day:

In South Carolina, polls will be open on November 4th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, you can vote.

Avoid the crowds by voting during non-peak times of 10:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Bring the correct identification with you. Every voter must present one of these three ID's listed: Voter Registration Card (signed) South Carolina Driver's License (current name and residential address) South Carolina Identification Card issued by the DMV (current name and address) If you registered by mail, or did not provide proof of residence when you registered, you will also be asked to provide one of the following: Current/valid photo ID (student ID, military ID, passport, etc.) Some official document that shows your name and current address (bank statement, utility bill, lease, government check, etc.) If you are using a current/valid SC Driver's license as your primary ID to vote, that is all that you need because it meets all the ID requirements.

Don't panic if you registered to vote but your name is not on the list. A poll manager should give you a provisional ballot or directions to another polling place.

Do not wear or bring anything that promotes a candidate or political party because, if you do, you will have to remove the item before voting. Electioneering is not allowed within 200 feet of the entrance to a polling location that voters are using.

Get help from poll managers who are trained and there to help you. They'll assist you with using the voting machine or give you a provisional ballot if you need one.

Stay and vote. Even if the line is long, do not leave without voting. The outcome of the election will be important!

Take a friend or family member to vote. Every vote counts, and civic participation is a learned behavior.

If you encounter problems exercising your right to vote, call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline, 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Legal volunteers will staff the call center and offer free assistance to voters.

This election is an important one for our nation, state and municipalities--and the outcome is in your hands. VOTE on November 4th. It is your best opportunity to make your voice heard and help shape the issues that affect all of us.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to men and women of all ages.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: November 16, 2009 17:34 PST.