See something odd in SC on Election Day? How to report irregularities, suspicious activity

Voters around South Carolina will visit their polling locations today to cast ballots in the general election. In addition to local races, this year the presidential office and a state constitutional amendment will be on the ballot.

Like other states, South Carolina has steps in place to address any potential issues, irregularities and illegal activity on Election Day. If you notice something unusual at your polling place, here's what you should know.

Don't wait to file a report

Even if you don't know whether you've witnessed something against South Carolina voting rules and regulations, the staff at your polling place can confirm whether activity is suspicious or illegal.

"The person seeing it or reporting it doesn't have to be 100% sure if it is a crime or not, or an irregularity or not," said South Carolina State Election Commission public information officer John Michael Catalano. "They can just ask a poll manager, so the poll manager can help them and determine whether it's an issue or not."

Poll workers are also best-equipped to address issues immediately for problems like:

"That's really the main message behind this is just that if you do see something, don't wait to report it to your party or to the media or to the state election commission after the fact," Catalano said. "The best thing to do is to report it to a poll manager immediately, so they can investigate and see if there is anything that needs to be corrected or changed or fixed or reported."

If poll workers can't assist you, or you don't agree with the action they take, you can also reach out to your county's voter registration and elections office or the South Carolina Election Commission. These offices can't offer a response as quickly as a poll manager, but can review the situation.

Reporting election crimes

While South Carolina's State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) can't intervene immediately, it has a public hotline for reports of possible election fraud and other election law violations .

"If you want to report an election crime, you can do it to SLED, because Election officials don't have authority to investigate crimes or put charges on anyone," Catalano said. "We don't have law enforcement authority, but what we can do is call law enforcement if necessary."

Potential witnesses should submit documentation supporting their allegations by email to or by mail at Post Office Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221.

You can also call the election fraud hotline at (833)4SC-VOTE or (833)472-8683 and, once supporting documentation has been received by email or mail and reviewed by staff, SLED will follow up with you.

Legal accommodations

One potential activity that voters might identify as suspicious is another voter receiving help in the voting booth. However, while only the voter can make the selection and mark their ballot, people who need accommodations because of a disability can get some assistance .

"They are allowed to be there to help the voter navigate the ballot and answer any questions from the voter," Catalano said.

The voter can get help from a poll manager or inform the poll manager they brought another person to assist them. Voters can bring anyone to help except their employer, an agent of their employer or an officer or agent of their union.

Voters who have disabilities or are 65 years or older can also legally vote from the curbside. These don't need disability parking placards and can stay in their cars until poll managers monitoring the curbside voting area come.

However, other people can't be in the car while the voter is casting their ballot, unless the voter requires assistance.