Voters have many resources to cope during pandemic election

Democracy needs you. There are many voter registration resources that can help citizens cope with an election in the middle of a pandemic. Unregistered voters need to act now – the deadline for registration to vote in person for the General Election is Friday, October 2 at 5 p.m.

“Having the freedom to choose the people who make the policies is one of America’s chief treasures,” said Philip Hall, dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy. “That privilege comes with a responsibility to use it. The College wants to do its part to make sure everyone who has a legal right to vote has the access to do so.”

In its first meeting this year, the College’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee identified voter registration as a priority initiative.

"Access is the first thing you have to have in order to make your voice heard," said Megan Draper, director of development and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. "The Committee adopted this project to help with community outreach, including to our own students. Not only is this an important election at a challenging time, it is the first one for our students to be voting as future pharmacists."

The committee compiled the following voter registration and education resources:

• Information on voting in South Carolina
• Request your absentee application
• Criteria to vote absentee
• Check your voter registration
• Update your voter registration information
• Find your polling location

[UPDATE: in 2024, a home-school student studying American democracy suggested adding to this page an additional resource about poll security cameras] 

Important Dates and Deadlines

October 2: Deadline to register to vote in person for General Election

October 5: Deadline to register to vote by mail for General Election (must be postmarked by this date)

October 30: Deadline to apply for absentee by mail ballot for General Election

November 3: General Election. Polls open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.