News

Columbia, SC – South Carolina voter turnout was approximately 10 percent higher yesterday than in the 2000 presidential election cycle. The high turnout created long lines at some polling places, but the state election system ran smoothly throughout the day. The last polling location, at Rice Creek Elementary School in Richland County, closed at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“The turnout was fantastic – approximately 70 percent of registered voters cast ballots – and we thank every voter for their patience and participation.” said Marci Andino, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission. “There were some temporary delays at a few polling locations, which is not surprising given the turnout and all the new procedures we were implementing, but overall the voting process worked very well. Our poll workers did a great job. ”

Andino said that approximately 5,000 new electronic touch screen voting machines were used in 15 South Carolina counties yesterday and no significant problems were reported.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s election process continues to proceed smoothly as the state experiences record voter turnout.

“The turnout has been very strong,” said Marci Andino, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission. “We do not have official numbers yet, but every county has reported a higher than normal turnout. As expected, we had some minor issues as we got systems up and running statewide this morning but, since mid-morning, everything has been operating smoothly.”

A few counties experienced some temporary delays in opening polls and individual voting machines, Andino said, and some voters briefly used paper ballots in order to keep the voting process moving forward.

“Given the broad range of new processes and procedures we began using with this election cycle, it has been a remarkably normal Election Day,” Andino said. “Our voting machines, including the new touch screen machines, have been working well and our 14,000 poll workers have done a great job managing the crowds and the inevitable questions about voter registration and ballots.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The election process in South Carolina is proceeding smoothly, and a record turnout is expected.

“Across the state, the voting process is running smoothly” said Marci Andino, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission. “We are using a lot of new processes and procedures this year, and we are experiencing exactly what we expected – minor issues that we are able to correct in real time. Overall, the system and our voting equipment is working very well.”

Andino said a few counties experienced some temporary delays in opening polls and individual voting machines. Some voters were asked to use paper ballots in order to keep the voting process moving forward, but by mid-morning all the problems had been resolved by Election Commission officials.

“We are seeing the normal types of questions that arise every Election Day,” Andino said. “Questions about registration, ballots and access, but nothing out of the ordinary. Our poll workers are doing an exceptional job, and the biggest issue seems to be long lines at some polls, but that is not unusual when we have what appears to be a record turnout.”

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – All polling precincts across the state are open for voting. This includes the 15 counties using electronic touch screen voting machines for the first time. The majority of the state’s polling places opened on time at 7:00 a.m.

In Greenville County, 135 out of 137 precincts opened on-time and voters are casting ballots on the touch screen machines. In the remaining two precincts, voters are currently casting paper ballots, while election commission representatives assist the poll workers with opening the touch screen machines. We expect that those precincts will be using the touch screen machines by mid-morning.

In an effort to increase voter turnout, some voters may have received incorrect information from a third party organization, Emily’s List, a national grassroots political network. The organization launched a telephone campaign designed to remind voter’s of tomorrow’s election, polling place hours and the location of their polling place. Unfortunately, some voters may have received incorrect information with regard to the location of their polling place.

Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission encourages voters who are unsure of their polling place location to check their registration information.

“We appreciate the intentions of Emily’s List in increasing voter participation,” said Andino. According to an Emily’s List spokesperson, approximately 171,000 calls were made to voters.

Columbia, SC: Greenville County voters have expressed concern regarding recent news of changes in polling places. State law requires that when a voter is moved to a different polling place, they are to be sent a new voter registration card stating this information. As of yet, many of the affected voters have not received their new voter registration card stating where they will vote on Election Day. According to the Greenville County Voter Registration office, new voter registration cards are being mailed this week and voters should begin receiving them soon.

To help voters sort out any confusion on Election Day, the Greenville County Voter Registration office will provide each precinct with a list of all registered voters in Greenville County and the location where they will vote. Voters going to the incorrect precinct will be directed to their new polling location. There will also be signs at the polling places advising voters of their new polling location. All voters are encouraged to verify their voting information on-line.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Majewski, (803) 734-9070
Date: September 24, 2004

Columbia, SC: The State Election Commission has received information of a person(s) or organization posing as an official from the local voter registration office or as a member of the League of Women Voters who are calling voters and asking them to reveal their social security number and other personal information. The caller is telling voters that they are no longer registered to vote but may register or re-register over the telephone.

Voters who received such calls became suspicious of this activity and contacted the State and county election commissions with their complaints. “Registering to vote over the telephone is not an option in South Carolina,” said Marci Andino, executive director, State Election Commission. “Voters can register in person, by mail, or through a government agency,” she said.

For Immediate Release: September 23, 2004
Contact: Stephanie Jones at (803) 233-2452

Counties will be first in state to use touch screen electronic voting system

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina State Election Commission and county election officials today introduced the new electronic touch screen voting machines and launched an intensive outreach effort to educate voters about the new voting system that will debut in the November elections for voters in 15 counties.

“We want as many voters as possible to have the opportunity to see, touch and become comfortable with using the machines before Election Day,” said Marci Andino, executive director of the State Election Commission.

Voting on the new system is easy. Voters select their candidates by simply touching a selection on the screen. Once completed, a final review screen allows voters to review and change their ballot before pushing a single red “vote” button to cast their ballot. The act of pushing the red “vote” button is just like dropping a ballot in the ballot box.

Contact: Hannah Majewski, (803) 734-9070
Date: August 30, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Proclamation in PDF Format

GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER ‘VOTER REGISTRATION MONTH’

Columbia, SC: Governor Mark Sanford has issued a proclamation declaring September as ‘Voter Registration Month’ and encourages all eligible South Carolinians to register and vote.