Share Your Experience: 2026 Special Election Voting Survey

Due to the unforeseen passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Election Commission had to hold a special election with a very tight timeline. We recognize that election officials, poll workers, and voters faced an unusually short amount of time to prepare.

While counties worked hard to ensure access under difficult circumstances, we’ve heard from South Carolinians who encountered barriers that made it harder for or impossible for them to vote in the August 11, 2026, special Republican primary.

Your voice matters.

We are collecting first-hand experiences to:

Document what went well and what created barriers during this rapid special election.
Identify patterns affecting voters with disabilities.
Share findings with the SC Election Commission, county boards, and legislators to improve future elections

This survey is anonymous and takes about 3-5 minutes. You do not have to answer any questions you’re not comfortable with. Your feedback will be used only for nonpartisan advocacy and election improvement efforts.

If you voted, tried to vote, or were unable to vote in the August 11, 2026 special Republican primary, please tell us what happened.

1.How do you typically vote in South Carolina elections?

2.Were you able to cast a ballot in the special Republican primary held on August 11, 2026?

Yes, my vote was counted

Yes, but I’m not sure if it was counted

No, I tried but was unable to vote

No, I did not try to vote in this election

3.Did you experience any barriers or challenges that made it harder for you to vote in this election?

Yes

No

Not sure

4.If you faced barriers, which of the following applied? Select all that apply.

Could not find information about polling place hours or location

Polling place was not physically accessible

Accessible voting machine was not set up or not working

Did not receive absentee ballot in time

Lack of transportation to the polls

Poll workers were not trained on accessible options

Needed assistance but none was available

Voter ID issues

Other

5.If you would be willing to discuss your voting story with a DRSC staff member please put your name and contact information below.

6.Do you identify as a person with a disability?

Yes

No

Prefer not to say

7.If applicable, what type of disability (you may pick more than one)

Intellectual or other developmental disability

Physical disability

Mental health condition / psychiatric disability

Deaf or hard of hearing

Blind or visually impaired

Traumatic brain injury

Other, please describe below

We ask this to understand how elections impact voters with disabilities. All responses are confidential.