SC broke its record for voter turnout for first three days. Here’s how many people voted

Early voting has taken the Palmetto State by storm, as hundreds of thousands have flocked to the polls for the general election.

Through the first three days, 383,326 registered voters have already cast their ballots in South Carolina’s first year of early voting for a presidential election.

John Michael Catalano, South Carolina Elections commission spokesperson, said the office is very excited with early voting turnout.

“Overall, even though turnout has been high, early voting has also been smooth,” Catalano said. “So, of course, there can be minor issues that happen in any election, and there will be ... but for the most part overall we are very happy with the way it’s gone.”

Catalano said he was aware of reports of long wait times, but since the interest in the election is high, lines can be long. The elections office is limited to what they can do to mitigate this, he said.

“We just urge voters to have patience, especially with poll managers, because they’re working as hard as they can. And, of course, they’re your friends, they’re members of your community. They’re there to do a very necessary service,” Catalano said.

Counties can have up to seven early voting centers open, so the more that are available in your county, the better lines will be, he said.

Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Lexington County, locations include 605 W Main St., Lexington; 423 College St., Leesville; 7300 College St., Irmo; 754 B Ave., West Columbia; 131 N Carlisle St., Gaston; and 157 Columbia Ave., Chapin. In Richland County, locations are 2020 Hampton St., Columbia; 2011 Hampton St., Columbia; 1300 Wheat St., Columbia; 8328 Parklane Road, Columbia; 1203 Summit Parkway Columbia; 1009 Bickley Road, Irmo; and 8620 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins.

Wayne Kirby, an early voter in Richland County, said he had come by the voting center to see where he was voting and get some more information and ended up casting his ballot anyway. His wife had knee surgery and couldn’t wait in long lines, so they wanted to get in at the right time and ensure their votes were counted.

Kirby said he voted “strictly Republican” on the ballot. He didn’t agree with the sales tax and said there’s a better way to do it because he did not think money was “wisely spent” previously.

“I’m really worried about, right now, our business. The last month was the worst month I’ve had in five years. I’m just worried about our economy,” Kirby said.

Every day since early voting started Monday in South Carolina has set a new record for turnout.

Since a law passed in May 2022, this is the first presidential election that South Carolinians can early vote without an excuse.

About 125,900 people who cast their ballots Monday on opening day of early voting, according to a news release from the State Election Commission. This broke the previous record from 2022, when 70,100 people cast their ballot.

Tuesday saw 127,792 registered voters casting ballots. Wednesday had 128,793 people vote.

The office is “very” aware of the intense political environment right now, and have prepared with law enforcement, if aid is needed in case something were to happen.

U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs of South Carolina named Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield as the district’s election officer, who will be “responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington,” the release said.

Monday, the S.C. GOP sent out a press release that a “potential illegal ballot harvesting operation by Democrats in Marion County,” was occurring. The press release included comments from Chairman Drew McKissick, who said “Clearly what’s happening in Marion County does not pass the smell test.”

Attorney General Alan Wilson sent out a press release Thursday that he sent a letter to State Election Commission Director Howard Knapp “reminding him of state law obligations regarding election integrity,” surrounding ballot harvesting. Knapp answered immediately and ensured all county directors would receive the letter Thursday.

Catalano said that his office was made aware of the ballot harvesting claims, but the office has systems and processes in place to ensure people are not returning more ballot than they’re allowed to.

“Our state law prohibits anyone from returning more than five absentee ballots in addition to their own,” Catalano said. “Every ballot that’s returned, is tracked, and it’s also tracked of who returns that ballot, so we can clearly see if someone is returning or attempting to return more than what’s allowed by law.”

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 2:27 PM.