Richland County, SC — I have been a registered voter in Richland County for the past 37 years. I take my right to vote very seriously. I took advantage of absentee ballot voting this year as I have been tending to my 91-year-old mother who also absentee voted.

I found the people at the Elections and Voter Registration Office on Hampton Street to be very polite, kind and understanding when I went to request an absentee ballot for my mother and myself. However, I cannot say that about the people who were also waiting for an absentee ballot request or voting on the machines in the lobby. There was much pushing and shoving going on and a few tempers flared up. For the most part, it was a pleasant experience and the staff of the Elections and Voter Registration Office should be commended for their professionalism in a difficult situation.

By the way, although the penny sales tax passed, I voted “no” for a second time. It will be interesting to see when and where the money goes with the passing of this unneeded and unnecessary referendum.

Patricia R. Lewis

Columbia