Early voting turnout for Beaufort County broke records. Here’s by how much

Early voting ended last Friday after nine days of polling. The South Carolina Election Commission reports 2026’s early voting turnout broke 2024’s record by almost 200,000 votes.

The statewide primaries allow voters to choose which candidate from their party will be its candidate for the general election in November. Local, state and congressional candidates are on the ballot.

Here’s the breakdown on early voting totals in Beaufort County:

Beaufort County turnout

Beaufort County voters cast 5,785 ballots early in 2024’s statewide primary. Preliminary reports show 12,091 early votes were cast this year. That’s a 109% increase in turnout from 2024. The final totals could be even higher.

Beaufort County had four polling locations for early voters. Here’s the preliminary totals for each location:

• Bluffton Branch Library: 4,878
• USCB Hilton Head: 2,646
• St. Helena Branch Library: 1,447
• Voter Registration Office in Beaufort: 3,120

What to know for election day

Tomorrow is election day for the statewide primary. It works the same as November election day, except you must vote exclusively in the primaries of one party. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. will still be allowed to vote. Bring a valid photo I.D. with you.

You can find your polling location on the South Carolina Election Commission website by putting in your voter registration information. Beaufort County changed polling locations for multiple precincts. Here are the new locations:

• Chechessee 1 and 3: Okatie Elementary School, 53 Cherry Point Road, Okatie
• Sheldon 1: Booker T. Washington Community Center, 182 Booker T. Washington Drive, Yemassee
• Lady’s Island 1B and 4B: Grace Chapel A.M.E., 10 Holly Hall Road, Lady’s Island
• Lady’s Island 4A: The Retreat at Lady’s Island, 9 Sunset Boulevard, Lady’s Island
• St. Helena 1B: St. Helena Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road, St. Helena Island
• Belfair 1 and 2: Bluffton Middle School in the gym, 30 New Mustang Drive, Bluffton
• New River 1 and 3: The Barn at New Riverside, 30 Red Barn Drive, Bluffton
• New River 2: Pritchardville Elementary School, 9447 Evan Way, Bluffton
• Pritchardville 1: Pritchardville Elementary School, 9447 Evan Way, Bluffton
• Hilton Head 9D: St. Luke’s Church, 50 Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island
• Hilton Head 10: Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, 10 Bus Drive
• Spanish Wells: Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, 10 Bus Drive

For a list of candidates, read our previous reporting.

This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 10:44 AM.