South Carolina voters went to the polls on August 11 for a special Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Two weeks later, eligible voters are being asked to return.

Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to the August 25 runoff. The winner will become the Republican nominee for the November 3 general election.

Special elections do not follow the calendar voters are accustomed to, and a runoff in late August can be particularly easy to overlook. But for eligible voters, the process that began earlier this month is not finished.

Early voting for the runoff is already underway, and Election Day is Tuesday, August 25.

The Choice Is Now Between Two Candidates

Darline Graham and Ralph Norman entered the August 11 special primary as part of a larger field of Republican candidates. Because no candidate received the majority required to win the nomination, the contest advanced to a runoff between Graham and Norman.

Darline Graham currently serves as a U.S. senator from South Carolina. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her on July 13 to fill the vacancy created by the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. She took office the following day. Before her appointment, Graham served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and worked in vocational rehabilitation and other areas of state government.

Ralph Norman has represented South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since winning a special election in 2017. A Rock Hill native and businessman, Norman previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

The August 25 runoff will decide which of these two candidates advances to the general election as the Republican nominee.

Hear From the Candidates

Voters have an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates before casting their ballots.

South Carolina ETV and Public Radio partnered with the South Carolina Republican Party to present the U.S. Senate Special Republican Primary Runoff Debate on August 18 at the Newberry Opera House.

Rather than relying solely on campaign advertisements, social media or someone else’s description of the candidates, voters can hear Graham and Norman answer questions and explain their positions in their own words.

Watch the full runoff debate:

Who Can Vote in the Runoff?

South Carolina’s rules for this special Republican primary are important because eligibility was affected by participation in the June primaries.

Voters who participated in the June Democratic primary are not eligible to participate in this special Republican primary process. Voters who participated in the June Republican primary, or who did not vote in either party’s June primary, are eligible if they otherwise meet the requirements to vote.

An eligible voter did not have to vote in the August 11 special primary to participate in the August 25 runoff.

Voters who have questions about their eligibility should confirm their status with their county voter registration and elections office before voting.

Early Voting Is Underway

Voters do not have to wait until August 25 to cast their ballots.

Early voting for the special primary runoff is available:

Wednesday, August 19
Thursday, August 20
Friday, August 21

Early voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Those planning to vote on Election Day can cast their ballots on Tuesday, August 25.

Before heading to the polls, voters should confirm their polling place through the South Carolina Election Commission:

Find your polling place:
https://vrems.scvotes.sc.gov/Voter/Login?PageMode=PollingPlace

Law Enforcement Has a Stake in Who Represents South Carolina

Members of law enforcement see government decisions from a perspective few others share. Federal laws, budgets, grants, public safety programs and other decisions made in Washington can reach agencies, officers, families and the communities they serve here in South Carolina.

That does not mean every officer will reach the same conclusion about a candidate. They should not be expected to.

Voting is also part of the broader civic participation that helps determine who represents South Carolina and makes decisions on behalf of the people who live and work here. For law enforcement officers and their families, that participation exists alongside a professional commitment to the communities they serve every day.

We are encouraging eligible members to make that decision and participate.

August 25 is not a normal statewide election date, which makes this runoff easier to miss. If you are eligible, review the candidates, watch the debate if you have not already done so, and decide who you believe should represent South Carolina.

Early voting is available through Friday, August 21. Election Day is Tuesday, August 25.

Whichever candidate earns your vote, make sure the choice includes your voice.