North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Public Records

Bond and bail procedures follow South Carolina law, allowing defendants to secure release through cash payments, surety bonds, or property bonds depending on the charges filed and decisions made by the court.

South Carolina residents can register online through the South Carolina Election Commission website at scVOTES.gov/how-register-absentee-voting by providing a South Carolina driver's license or DMV ID card number. The registration deadline falls 30 days before any election. In-person registration is available at the Horry County Elections Office, DMV offices, various state agencies, or through mail-in registration forms. The state requires voters to show identification when casting ballots, accepting SC driver's license, DMV ID card, passport, military ID, or voter registration card with photo. As an incorporated municipality, North Myrtle Beach holds city elections for mayor and six city council members elected from single-member districts. Municipal elections take place in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, with the next scheduled for November 4, 2025. The mayor serves a four-year term, while council members serve staggered four-year terms. Candidate filing occurs in August preceding the November election. Information about candidates and local ballot measures is available through the Horry County Elections Office and the City Clerk at North Myrtle Beach City Hall (843-280-5555). Voters can locate their assigned polling place using the locator at scVOTES.gov/poll-manager-precinct-lookup or by contacting the Horry County elections office. The city operates numerous precincts at locations including North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex, fire stations, and community facilities. South Carolina provides public access to various election records under state law. Voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for political purposes under SC Code §7-5-175, though individual voter registration information can be verified through scVOTES.gov. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission and searchable online at ethics.sc.gov/campaign-disclosure, showing contributions, expenditures, and donor information for candidates running for North Myrtle Beach City Council, Mayor, Horry County offices, state legislature, and statewide offices. Candidate filing information and election results are public records maintained by the Horry County Elections Office and published on their website. Precinct-level results for all elections are posted online following certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Horry County reported approximately 67% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 170,000 ballots cast out of approximately 255,000 registered voters, reflecting strong participation in Horry County's Republican-leaning electorate. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races. South Carolina does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026, as Senator Lindsey Graham was re-elected in 2020 (term expires 2027) and Senator Tim Scott was elected in 2022 (term expires 2028). However, voters will elect a Governor (incumbent Henry McMaster's current term expires in 2027), all seven U.S. House Representatives including the 7th Congressional District which includes the city (currently represented by Russell Fry), all 46 State Senate seats, all 124 State House seats (the area falls within House Districts 105 and 106), and various Horry County offices including County Council seats that may be on the ballot depending on the district cycle. Voters should check with the Horry County Elections Office closer to the election for complete ballot information and any municipal referendums. South Carolina offers absentee voting for registered voters who meet specific criteria under SC Code §7-15-320, including being 65 or older, physically disabled, members of the armed forces, students away at college, government employees working on Election Day, or persons who will be away from their county on Election Day. Absentee ballot applications are available at scVOTES.gov or through the Horry County Elections Office, and must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before the election for mail ballots. Early in-person absentee voting is available at the Horry County Elections Office and authorized satellite locations beginning approximately two weeks before Election Day. The state does not offer true no-excuse absentee voting; voters must qualify under one of the statutory reasons. Voters can track their absentee ballot status through the scVOTES.gov website using the Absentee Ballot Request/Status tool.