South Carolina election officials follow a detailed list of laws and procedures to ensure free and fair elections, including an unceasing commitment to cybersecurity vigilance and the secure storage of paper ballots. Poll workers undergo extensive training to enforce election laws and ensure only eligible voters cast ballots. The state Election Commission oversees elections, provides support, and maintains the list of registered voters.
Voting machines in SC are never connected to the internet, ensuring protection against hacking, and paper trails are utilized for each vote cast. The ballot marking devices help record votes on a physical ballot, which is then scanned for tabulation. Barcodes on the ballots help identify ballot styles and selections made by the voter, ensuring accurate tabulation by the machine.
Ballots are tabulated as soon as polls close on election night, with the absentee by mail votes typically being the first to be reported online. The results of an election are not official until every vote is counted and certified by election officials. A recount is automatic if the margin of victory is less than 1 percent, and candidates can file an election protest to challenge results.
Overall, South Carolina has various safeguards in place to ensure the accuracy and integrity of its election process, including hand-count audits before the certification of any federal or state-level election. County election boards oversee the certification of election results, and members are appointed by the governor to ensure bipartisan representation. Public transparency is maintained throughout the process, from voting to result certification.
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