Richland County’s interim election director misses runoffs after COVID-19 test
Several primary runoffs were held Tuesday in Richland County without the election commission’s acting boss to oversee the process.
Interim Director Terry Graham was out sick. He said he’s waiting for results from a coronavirus test.
“I had to get a COVID-19 (test) done. Results won’t be back until Thursday,” Graham told The State.
In his absence, LaShaun Curry, the director of training and compliance at the South Carolina Election Commission, filled in overseeing the Richland County runoffs.
“I’m hoping the test comes back negative and hope for the best for Terry,” said Dr. Duncan Buell, vice chair of the Richland County election commission board.
Buell said preparing for, and running, an election during the coronavirus pandemic presents a lot of problems. The biggest, and one that Richland County is still dealing with following the June 9 primaries, is staffing shortages from people concerned about contracting COVID-19.
A lack of poll workers, and enough with experience, along with ballot issues, caused long lines and major issues for the Richland County Election Commission during the primary.
Similar issues haven’t been reported through noon during the runoff on Tuesday. Curry said she and the election commission office worked long hours to ensure there would be a large pool of poll workers. Additionally, the runoff is a much smaller election than the primary, which Buell called a “major effort.”
“Doing that when you’re supposed to be social distancing is a problem,” Buell said. “Given the issues with staffing the pandemic is a major problem.”
Across South Carolina, election officials put contingencies into place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 among voters. Some include adding sneeze guards at check-in stations, following social distancing mandates, and giving voters a cotton swab to make selections on the touchscreens.
Poll workers also should be wearing masks of face coverings.
Many poll workers for the June 9 primaries and the runoff dropped out at the last minute because of concerns about the coronavirus, said Dr. Charles Austin Sr., the chair of the Richland County election commission board. He said he’s grateful for the help Richland County received for the runoff from the South Carolina Election Commission.
Looking ahead to the general election in November, that includes the presidential election, more poll clerks and workers will be needed and will have to be well-schooled, Buell said.
“We need multiple layers of contingency plans,” Buell said.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 12:26 PM.
