Top five things to know before heading to the polls

• You must have registered to vote by Oct. 6 to participate in the Nov. 6 general election
• Know your precinct, polling location, political districts and candidates
• Although political districts have changed since the last general election, your voting precinct has not changed
• Too keep waiting lines shorter, be aware of the questions on the ballot, including state constitutional ballot amendment and countywide referendum questions, and be ready to cast ‘yes’ or ‘no’ votes when entering the voting booth
• There is no “early voting” in South Carolina. The state does have absentee voting, either in-person or by mail, for a limited number of reasons.

Check your voter registration status here

Find your sample ballot here.

Hilton Head Island voters can enter their address here to find their ward, voting precinct, county council and school board district.

Though political districts have changed, voting precincts have not. Nonetheless, county election officials anticipate some confusion by voters, but have not seen large evidence of that.

Beaufort County has two new congressional districts, a new S.C. House district and a new S.C. Senate District. The shape and numbering of county council and school board districts have also changed.

County elections director Scott Marshall said workers have been busy urging voters through print ads and TV spots to check polling locations, political districts and candidates before Nov. 6.

You can view district maps here.

“There may be some surprises when they look at their ballot,” Marshall said. “People may go to the polls and see districts they can’t recall from the last election, and might look for names they’re familiar with, but will not see, thinking they’re voting for one candidate but are no longer in that district.”

Voters who typically use a shortcut to side with one party, should also be aware.

In a state where S.C. election officials say half of voters choose a straight party ticket, petition candidates not affiliated with any party on the ballot could get skipped.

And they’re not the only ones. Voting straight party will not cast a vote in nonpartisan offices, such as soil and water conservation, city and town council, and school board elections.

Voting a straight ticket will also not cast a vote for referendum questions.

Marshall said it's particularly a concern for absentee voters who won't be prompted by a machine pointing out unanswered questions.

Another common misconception is voting a straight party means voters cannot choose a candidate from another party for a particular office. Not true, says Marshall.

“An individual selection for office will override a straight party choice,” he said.