The managers of each election precinct at which a voting machine is to be used shall meet at the voting place at least forty-five minutes before the time set for the opening of the polls at each election and shall proceed to arrange within the guard rail the furniture, supplies, and voting machine or machines for the conduct of the election. At that time, the managers shall post at least two instruction cards conspicuously within the polling place. If not previously done, they shall arrange, in their proper place on or in the voting machine, the ballots prepared for such election. A sealed envelope shall be delivered to the managers of election at least thirty minutes before the time set for the opening of the polls on which shall be written or printed the number of the voting machine, the number of any respective seals, and the number registered on the protective counter device. This envelope shall not be opened until all of the managers of election for the precinct are present at the polling place and have examined the envelope to see that it has not been opened. The machines, upon preparation for voting by the managers, shall not be operated except by voters in voting. Before opening the polls, each manager shall examine the machines and see that no vote has been cast and that the counters register zero (000). If any counter is found not to register zero (000), the managers shall not use the machine for voting purposes and notify the board of voter registration and elections.
S.C. Code § 7-13-1770