QUESTION: Who was responsible for planning and implementing the election process? What does that plan say?

Mounting an election is like fighting a battle, many angry voters are saying: You only get one shot to prepare, all details matter and you’d better have contingency plans.

And someone has to be in charge.

Richland County’s state lawmakers in 2011 named Lillian McBride director when they combined the county’s voter registration office and its election office. Mike Cinnamon, the county’s former elections director, resigned then but said he left behind two sets of documents he used to run previous elections.

Because state lawmakers have asked McBride not to answer questions yet, voters don’t know if McBride used those documents, developed her own written plan, knew how to get electronic machines ready, ensured poll workers were properly trained or had written backup plans if machines broke down or needed technicians’ help.