Gaston, South Carolina Public Records

South Carolina residents can register to vote online through the South Carolina Election Commission's website at scVOTES.gov, which handles online voter registration for new applicants and updates to existing registrations. Applicants must be United States citizens, at least 18 years old by election date, South Carolina residents, and not under a court order declaring them mentally incompetent. The state requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that contest. Acceptable identification for registration includes a South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The Town of Gaston holds municipal elections for mayor and town council seats. The town operates under a mayor-council form of government with a mayor and council members elected to serve staggered terms. Municipal elections in South Carolina are typically held in November of odd-numbered years, separate from federal and state general elections. Information about candidates, filing deadlines, and local ballot issues can be obtained from Gaston Town Hall at (803) 796-4521 or through the Lexington County Elections Office. Local voters also participate in elections for Lexington County Council representatives, school board members for Lexington County School District Two, and state legislative seats including South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate districts. Residents can find their assigned polling place by using the "Find My Polling Place" tool on the scVOTES.gov website or by contacting the Lexington County Elections Office directly. Polling places for local voters are typically located at community centers, schools, or other public facilities within or near the town. South Carolina requires voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person, including a South Carolina driver's license, DMV-issued ID card, passport, military ID, or voter registration card with photo issued by the Lexington County elections office. Free voter registration photo ID cards are available from the Lexington County Elections Office and DMV offices for those who do not have another acceptable form of ID. One of South Carolina's two U.S. Senate seats may be on the ballot if it is the cycle for that seat's election, along with South Carolina's seven U.S. House of Representatives seats. Lexington County voters will also elect county-level offices including County Council seats, Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Auditor, Treasurer, and other county officials, many of which are four-year terms decided in 2026. Municipal elections for local town offices will occur in November 2025, not 2026. South Carolina public records law provides access to various election related records. Voter registration lists are available from the Lexington County Elections Office and the State Election Commission, though they are subject to restrictions on commercial use. Campaign finance disclosure reports for candidates and political committees are filed with and searchable through the South Carolina Ethics Commission's online database at ethics.sc.gov. Candidate filing information, including declarations of candidacy and statements of economic interests, are public records available through the elections office and Ethics Commission. Precinct-level election results are published by the Lexington County Elections Office after each election and are available on the Lexington County website and through the State Election Commission. South Carolina law allows for inspection of election materials including ballots, poll lists, and voting equipment audit records under certain circumstances, subject to security and integrity requirements. Absentee voting in South Carolina is available for specific reasons including being 65 years or older, physical disability, required work obligations on Election Day, being a member of the armed forces or overseas citizen, or being admitted to a hospital within four days of an election. Absentee ballot applications are available through the Lexington County Elections Office, at www.scVOTES.gov, or by written request. The deadline to request an absentee mail ballot is 5:00 PM on the fourth day before the election, and returned ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.