Horry County Residents Gear Up for Election Day
As the sun rises over Horry County, excitement is in the air with election day right around the corner! Thousands of citizens have already made their voices heard during early voting, which wrapped up on Saturday afternoon. With a whopping 122,570 voters casting their ballots early, this year’s turnout has been nothing short of spectacular. That’s approximately 40% of registered voters in the county who got a head start on their civic duties.
Early Voting Numbers Hit Record Highs
For the first time ever, South Carolina offered early voting for a general election, and it seems to have really struck a chord! Election Director Sandy Martin shared the good news, saying, “In 2020, we had 30 days of no-excuse absentee voting, and we only voted 100,000 people. This time, we managed to hit almost 123,000 in just 12 days.” That’s a remarkable leap in participation!
Questions and Last-Minute Preparations
With election day approaching, many folks eagerly flocked to the county’s Registration and Elections Office asking last-minute questions. One common inquiry that rang through the office was, “Where do I go to cast my ballot?” It’s crucial to know your polling place, especially if you’ve changed your address recently. Sandy Martin emphasized, “If you’re registered and your address has changed, it’s too late to change it now. You’re going to have to go back to your old location to vote tomorrow.” So, heads up folks!
Staying Secure and Prepared
In addition to facilitating the vote, Horry County is also ramping up its election security with new voting machines. A whopping $30 million has been invested to enhance the security measures—talk about taking voter safety seriously!
Behind the scenes, election officials and dedicated poll workers are preparing for what’s sure to be a busy election day. Martin noted, “Today we’re giving out supplies to all our clerks. It’s the materials that they set the precincts up with on election day. We’re finishing up delivery of the equipment, wrapping up all the last-minute things, and ensuring that everything is in place for tomorrow.”
The Challenge of Staffing
However, the preparations haven’t come without some hiccups. Martin mentioned that several poll workers and four clerks had to withdraw from their duties just before election day. But fear not! The team is working around the clock to fill those roles before the polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Absentee Ballots Still Accepted
Even though early voting has come to a close, there’s still a chance for those who prefer to vote by mail. Absentee ballots can still be turned in until the polls close tomorrow at 7 p.m. So, if you have an absentee ballot sitting at home, don’t forget to drop it off!
Election Day Is Almost Here!
As Horry County approaches election day, the buzz of participation and community engagement couldn’t be more alive. Whether you voted early, have a plan to vote tomorrow, or are submitting an absentee ballot, your voice matters! Let’s keep that energy going and make sure everyone gets out to vote!
