Early Voting for Runoffs Begins Next Week

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Nearly 10,000 more Anderson County voters cast ballots in the 2026 primary elections than in 2024. This represents 26.57 percent of the county’s registered voters. A total of 34,246 voters went to the polls, including 9,161 who voted early.

Early voting for a runoff election is scheduled for June 17-18, for the runoff election date June 23.

Early voting will be available next Thursday and Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm. at:

County Voter Registration Office, 301 N. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29621

Powdersville Library, 4 Civic Court, Powdersville, SC 29642

Pendleton Branch Library, 650 S Mechanic St., Pendleton, SC 29670

Watkins Community Center, 204 S Main Street, Honea Path, SC 29654

All precincts will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on June 23.

Here’s a roundup of offices with candidates involved in runoff elections:

In Anderson County, Republican S.C. Rep. Don Chapman will face Sherry Hodges for the House Dist. 8 Seat. Chapman received 44.97 percent of Tuesday’s vote, while Hodges finished closely behind with 42.54 percent of the 5,236 votes cast. Patrick Orr, who finished third with 12.5 percent of the vote, on Wednesday endorsed Chapman in the runoff.

In statewide runoff races, GOP gubernatorial candidates S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson were the top two chosen from a crowded field seeking the office of governor. Evette received 28.86 percent of the vote, with Wilson very close behind at 26.15 percent of the 472,758 votes cast.

In the race for S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture, Anderson County’s Danny Ford and Cody Simpson will face off in the primary. Simpson received 38.14 percent of the 430,053 votes, while Ford was close behind at 37.25 percent.

David Stumbo and Stephen Goldfinch will compete in the race for S.C. Attorney General. Goldfinch received 39.99 percent of the 440,045 votes, while Stumbo took 35.66 percent.