State and Federal Updates
SC CARES Act Funds – Minority & Small Business Relief Grant Program
On October 12, the SC Department of Administration announced $40 million in grant funding for the Minority and Small Business Relief Grant Program to reimburse qualifying expenditures for providing services or for revenue loss due to COVID-19. To be eligible, the business must have 25 or fewer employees, been in operation from October 13, 2019 to present, and have experienced a business impact due to COVID-19. Grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000. The window for applications is October 19 – November 1, 2020 with grant award notifications being made December 8-15. Find more details at the accelerateSC website or contact the SC CARES Call Center at 803-670-5170 or sccares@admin.sc.gov
SC CARES Act Funds – Nonprofit Relief Grant Program
On October 12, the SC Department of Administration announced $25 million in grant funding for the Nonprofit Relief Grant Program to reimburse qualifying expenditures for providing services or for revenue loss due to COVID-1. To be eligible, the nonprofit must be designated as a 501(c)3 organization, be registered as a public charity with the SC Secretary of State, been in operation from October 13, 2019 to present, and demonstrate financial or operational impact due to COVID-19. Grants will range from $2,500 to $50.000. The window for applications is October 19 – November 1, 2020 with grant award notifications being made December 8-15. Find more details at the accelerateSC website or contact the SC CARES Call Center at 803-670-5170 or sccares@admin.sc.gov.
2020 General Election Voting Guide
What are my options for casting an Absentee ballot?
On September 16, Governor McMaster signed a "no-excuse" COVID-19 absentee expansion bill into law. This law allows all South Carolina voters to cast an absentee ballot without having to provide a reason. Absentee ballot applications must be received by county voter offices by 5:00 PM on October 24 if sent by mail and by 5:00 PM on October 30 if applications are brought in-person. A witness signature is required. Anyone can serve as a witness and a notary is not required. You can request an absentee ballot here.
Can I still vote in person?
Yes. Polls will be open on November 3 from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Check here for your polling place. Additionally, you may be able to absentee vote in-person at your county election office starting October 5. Absentee voting in-person means you vote at a polling place before election day using an absentee excuse.
Beginning October 19, the Captain Hampton Memorial Library in Easley will serve as an in-person absentee voting site for registered voters in Pickens County. Voters must bring a photo ID.
What elections will be on my ballot?
Every South Carolina voter will have the U.S. Presidential race and the U.S. Senate race on their ballot. Depending on where you live in South Carolina you may also have other races on your ballot. Go here to see what your ballot will look like.
For other questions, please visit the SC Election Commission website or contact your local voter registration office .
YOU Need to be Counted - Complete the Census
If you haven't already completed the 2020 Census, please take a few minutes to respond. Taking 10 minutes to complete the form can shape your community for the next 10 years! You can respond with the online form, by phone or by mail.
Everyone’s response counts! The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community…hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, public transit, and resources for family needs. In addition, the census results also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
So don’t wait…complete the 2020 Census today and help shape YOUR future!
