In a world that’s moving faster than ever, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by politics. Many of us are juggling work, family, and daily life, leaving little time to delve into election details. Others are simply frustrated with the constant gridlock, scandals, and broken promises. But here’s the thing: we all share a common goal—to leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. Whether it’s cleaner air, stronger schools, or a fairer economy, our votes shape that future. The good news? Becoming an informed voter doesn’t require hours of your day or a political science degree. It just takes a few smart steps to build confidence in your choices. Otherwise, we risk more of the same: stagnant taxes, unchecked fraud, and endless frustration.

This election year—2026—is particularly crucial, especially if you’re in a state like South Carolina, where gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, and state legislative races could redefine priorities on issues like education funding, healthcare access, and economic development. Low voter turnout in past cycles (particularly in the primaries) has often handed incumbents wins, perpetuating the status quo. But by engaging thoughtfully, you can help drive real change. Below, I’ll outline practical tips to get started, drawing on reliable sources and adding strategies like fact-checking to make your vote even more impactful.

Step 1: Research the Issues and Candidates Thoroughly

Knowledge is power, and starting with solid research ensures your vote aligns with what matters most to you. Don’t just skim headlines—dig a bit deeper.

• Start with Local Resources: In South Carolina, the scstatehouse.gov website is an invaluable tool. It offers a user-friendly way to navigate bills, voting records, and committee meetings. For example, you can search for bills by keyword (like “education reform” or “tax relief”) and see how your representatives have voted. This transparency helps you spot inconsistencies between what politicians say and what they do.
• See this tutorial below on how to navigate the scstatehouse.gov website.

• Explore All Candidates in Your Area: Head to their websites or contact their offices to schedule a meeting or phone call to discuss their views on topics important to you.
• Align with Your Viewpoints: List your top priorities (e.g., environmental protection, criminal justice reform, or infrastructure). Then, compare candidates’ stances. Remember, informed voting means looking beyond party lines—focus on policies that resonate with you.

Adding a layer of relevance: With 2026 bringing potential ballot measures on topics like voting rights or school choice in various states, research these too.

Step 2: Engage Actively—It Doesn’t Have to Be Time-Consuming

Research is great, but engagement turns knowledge into influence. The beauty is that many actions take minimal effort but yield big results.

• Email Your Representatives: It only takes a few minutes to send a note to your state reps or U.S. senators about a bill that’s important to you. Use Congress.gov or scstatehouse.gov to find contact information and track bills in real time. For instance, if you’re concerned about healthcare costs, include a specific bill number in your email to make your point more effectively.
• Stay Updated on Local Politics: Dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to reading articles from trusted South Carolina sources like FITSNews.com (for investigative journalism), Palmetto State Watch (for in-depth analysis on key issues), and, of course, check out our own South Carolina Safe Elections Substack newsletter for any breaking news on elections.  These outlets cover everything from corruption probes to policy debates, giving you context beyond national news.
• Meet Face-to-Face: Schedule a quick meeting with your state representative or senator—it often takes just an hour. Call their office to set it up, and come prepared with questions on key topics. Cross-check their responses against their voting record on scstatehouse.gov to ensure consistency. This personal interaction can reveal a lot about their character and priorities.
• Attend Candidate Events: Listen to candidates speak at town halls or forums. Check their social media (like X or Facebook) for event announcements, or sign up for newsletters via their campaign websites. In 2026, with races heating up, many events will be virtual, making it easier to join from home.
• Volunteer or Contribute: If a candidate excites you, volunteer for door-knocking, phone banking, or even a small donation. This hands-on involvement not only boosts turnout but also deepens your understanding of the issues.

Step 3: Avoid Common Pitfalls and Myths

Being informed means steering clear of shortcuts that can lead you astray.

• Don’t Rely on Friends or Neighbors: It’s tempting to ask around, but this is lazy voting. Your circle might not be as researched as you assume, and biases can creep in. Do your own homework instead.
• Skip Name Recognition: Voting for someone just because their name sounds familiar often favors well-funded incumbents. Dig into their records—challengers fighting corruption or the status quo deserve a fair look, especially in low-turnout primaries. Do we really want to continue electing family dynasties?
• Prioritize Primaries: Turnout in primaries is notoriously low (often under 20% in some areas), which benefits established politicians. In South Carolina’s 2026 primaries (June 9th), your vote carries extra weight. Research anti-corruption candidates or those challenging entrenched interests—they could shake things up.

Why It Matters: Building Confidence and Driving Change

By following these steps, you’ll vote with confidence, knowing your choice reflects your values and research. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. In 2026, with national issues like the economy, illegal immigration, crime, and fraud intersecting with state-specific challenges in South Carolina, informed voters can push for accountable leadership.

So get started today. Why wait? Share this article with a friend, and let’s build a more engaged electorate. Your voice—and vote—can make the difference for generations to come. What issue will you research first?

by Laura Scharr

The closed primary bill below is, in my view, a “Bad Bill.” Not only does it codify a strict rule based on prior voting records that disenfranchises voters and candidates, but it will likely reduce turnout, as independents may not care to or be able to vote in the primaries. States with closed primaries typically see average primary turnout of around 20.7%, while those with more open systems reach 24.5% or higher. Source: Bipartisan Policy Center

Here is a letter I wrote to the House Judiciary Subcommittee further explaining the issues:

Subject: Urgent Opposition to Bill H3643 – Protect Voter Rights and Data Integrity in South Carolina

Dear Members of the South Carolina Judiciary Committee,

As Team Leader of SC Safe Elections, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to safeguarding our electoral processes, I urge you to reject Bill H3643 as currently written. Our team has extensively studied South Carolina’s election ecosystem, including laws, procedures, and voter rolls, and we conclude that this bill poses significant risks without addressing core issues.

Closing primaries may seem appealing, but it’s a superficial fix that fails to prevent party crossover voting effectively. Instead, the real solution lies in educating qualified electors and boosting voter turnout, which would dilute the impact of any minimal crossover activity.

The bill’s most dangerous provision—the “2 out of 3” primary voting stipulation—must not be codified. This rule would disenfranchise voters and candidates while relying on unreliable data. Through years of investigations and audits, including the purchase and analysis of official voter rolls, we’ve uncovered widespread inaccuracies. For instance, primary party designations were inexplicably flipped between data files in the post-primary 2022 database, affecting more than 373,700 voters. Numerous citizens have reported erroneous records that wrongly barred them from party roles.

South Carolina’s voter data suffers from poor hygiene and data management practices, inconsistent protocols, and unclear field definitions, making it unfit for such high-stakes enforcement. This bill would create unnecessary conflicts among voters, election commissions, and parties, with no independent mechanism for voters to verify their primary status, resulting in disputes that are unverifiable “he said, she said” battles.

Do not pass H3643 in its present form. Prioritize genuine reforms that enhance trust and participation in our democratic process.

Sincerely, Laura Scharr, Team Leader, SC Safe Elections

Here is a video on some considerations for the closed primary bills:

Please contact the House Judiciary Subcommittee and its members and tell them to VOTE NO.

Contact the following representatives and tell them to vote AGAINST H.3643:

Chairman Jay Jordan – (843) 229-1874 – JayJordan@schouse.gov

Weston Newton – (803) 734-3120 – WestonNewton@schouse.gov

Cody Mitchell – (803) 427-6487 – CodyMitchell@schouse.gov

Justin Bamberg – (803) 212-6907 – JustinBamberg@schouse.gov

Spencer Wetmore – (843) 693-8292 – SpencerWetmore@schouse.gov

You can submit written testimony to HJudConstitutionalLaws@schouse.gov

Read this related article from Alaina Moore at Palmetto State Watch: