Cherokee County Board of Voter Registration

1434 North Limestone Street

Peachtree Center – Room 1008, First Floor

Gaffney, South Carolina 29340

Phone: 864 487 2563

Fax: 864 902 1127

2008 Office Hours:  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday

Board Members

Steve Bratton

Edith Knuckles

Barry Medley

Mary Moore

Barbara Shackleford, Chairperson

Catie Allison, Clerk

In order to vote, South Carolina law requires that you must register to vote at least 30 days prior to an election. To be eligible to register in South Carolina you MUST:

• Be a United States citizen, be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
• Be a resident of South Carolina, this county and precinct
• Not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
• Not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
• Never have been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR
• If previously convicted, have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.

There is no length of residency requirement in South Carolina in order to register to vote. You can register at any time.  Residents of South Carolina do not register by party. 

How to Register to Vote

Important Note:  Due to federal legislation, any person choosing to register to vote by mail must supply additional proof of residence when submitting their application or when voting.  To reduce the time spent at the polls on Election Day, it is recommended you provide a copy of one of the following showing your current name and address:

§  A current and valid photo identification

§  A current utility bill

§  Bank statement

§  Government check

§  Paycheck (name and address required)

§  Government document (other than a voter registration certification)

You may also register at the Department of Motor Vehicles when you renew or get a new driver’s license.  Other service agencies where you can register include:  the Dept. of Social Services, Dept. of Mental Health, Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Dept. of Disabilities and Special Needs, Commission for the Blind, SC Protection and Advocacy for the Handicapped, and Military Recruitment offices.

Update Your Voter Registration Information

If your voter registration information has changed (name, address, etc.), and you still live within the same county, you may update your voter registration information by visiting the Cherokee County Board of Voter Registration or calling to request a “Change of Address” form be mailed to you for completion.  If you have moved to a different county, you will need to re-register in your new county.

Absentee Voting

You may be qualified to vote an absentee ballot in the Voter Registration office if you are unable to go to the polls for many reasons.  A complete list of these qualifications is listed on the South Carolina Election Commission website.  Absentee voting by mail also is possible if the voter allows enough time for the required process as follows:

1.      The voter, or an immediate family member, requests an application be mailed to the voter.

2.      The voter is mailed an Absentee Application to complete, sign, and return.

3.      The ballot is mailed only after the Voter Registration office has received and verified the completed application.

4.      The voter mails the ballot back to the Voter Registration office so that it is received no later than 7:00 p.m. on the date of the election.

When you call the office to request an absentee application, please be prepared to provide the following information:

§  Voter’s Name

§  Voter Registration Certification Number or Social Security Number

§  Home Address and Telephone Number

§  Absentee Address of Voter, if applicable.

The requester, if other than the voter, also must be a registered voter in Cherokee County and provide their voter registration certification number, home address, and relationship to voter.

Helpful Links

South Carolina Election Commission:      www.scvotes.org

South Carolina Government:                      www.sc.gov

South Carolina Code of Laws:                   www.scstatehouse.net

Important 2008 election Dates for Voters