Fair Play, South Carolina Public Records

Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, residents of South Carolina and the county where they're registering, and not under a court order declaring them mentally incompetent. A South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID number is required for online registration. As an unincorporated community, the town doesn't hold municipal elections for mayor or council positions. Instead, residents participate in Oconee County elections for County Council members representing seven single-member districts, along with Sheriff, Coroner, Auditor, Treasurer, and other county offices. Fair Play falls within one of these County Council districts. These county races typically take place in even-numbered years during the November general election or June primary. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the My Voter Page at scVOTES.gov/south-carolina-voter-information-page. By entering a name and date of birth or voter registration number, they can view their polling location, sample ballots, election dates, and registration status. Most polling places are churches, schools, or community centers near voters' residences. South Carolina law makes numerous election records public. Voter registration lists can be purchased for political purposes. Campaign finance reports for candidates and committees are accessible through the State Ethics Commission at ethics.sc.gov. Candidate filings, ballot measures, and election results are published by the Oconee County Election Office and the State Election Commission at scVOTES.gov. Precinct-level results appear after each election, breaking down vote totals by race and location. In the November 2024 presidential election, Oconee County recorded approximately 38,000 votes cast out of roughly 52,000 registered voters, representing about 73% turnout. The county traditionally votes Republican by wide margins, with Donald Trump receiving approximately 75% of the vote in 2024. The November 3, 2026 general election will include several significant races for local voters. South Carolina's gubernatorial election will be held, as Governor Henry McMaster's current term expires, governors serve four-year terms. All seven of South Carolina's U.S. House seats will be on the ballot, including the district representing Oconee County, currently District 3. One of South Carolina's U.S. Senate seats may be contested depending on the election cycle. Senator Lindsey Graham's seat is not up until 2026, while Senator Tim Scott's seat was just decided in 2022, so 2026 will not include a regular Senate race unless a special election occurs. State legislative races for South Carolina House and Senate will be contested, including the districts representing Fair Play. Oconee County Sheriff and County Council seats will also be decided, along with other county constitutional offices. Any local school board positions or special district seats will appear on the ballot. South Carolina offers absentee voting for qualified voters. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot for specific reasons including being 65 or older, physical disability, being away from county on election day, work obligations, illness or quarantine, pregnancy, admission to hospital within 4 days of election, death of family member within 3 days of election, election official or poll watcher working in different precinct, government business, certified religious observance, or active military service. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Oconee County Voter Registration office by 5:00 PM the fourth day before the election. Applications are available at scVOTES.gov or from the Oconee County office. Completed ballots must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day either by mail, postmarked by Election Day and received within two days, or delivered in person to the Oconee County election office.