Monday kicked off the two-week early voting period in South Carolina, bringing an exciting start to the process in Mount Pleasant.
Rosamond Lawson expressed her belief that the upcoming election holds significant importance. As a responsible citizen, she felt compelled to exercise her right to vote and ensure her voice was heard. She wasted no time and took advantage of the early voting option, casting her ballot on the very first day at Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant.
The church, one of Charleston County’s seven early voting locations, saw long lines wrapping around its premises.
Voters experienced significant wait times of nearly two hours when casting their ballots.
Margaret Massari expressed her satisfaction with her voting experience at Seacoast, stating that the long lines were actually a positive sign. She found it encouraging to see that people were genuinely interested and willing to participate in the voting process.
This year’s turnout for the presidential election is expected to break records in the county. Elections officials anticipate this increase in participation, as it is the first election since the state law on early voting was changed in 2022.
According to the county board of elections, more than 12,020 people have voted on the first day of early voting as of 6 p.m. on Monday.
On the last day of early voting in 2020, the previous record of 8,700 votes was set.
According to Isaac Cramer, the Executive Director for the Charleston County Board of Elections, individuals can contribute to the smooth flow of the line by preparing in advance. This can be done by familiarizing themselves with their sample ballot and ensuring that they have their photo ID readily available.
According to Cramer, the reason for any delays during the voting process is the longer ballot. He explains that when people are using the ballot marking device, they have to go through multiple pages, which can take time. To avoid any delays, Cramer advises voters to do their research and know their selections ahead of time.
Thousands of people in Charleston County proudly displayed their “I voted” stickers as they cast their ballots in the 2024 election.
“It is an incredible feeling to be an American citizen and have the opportunity to cast my vote,” expressed Luca DeMassa, a college student who participated in her first presidential election by voting early.
Just a friendly reminder, if you’re a registered voter in Charleston County, you have the flexibility to cast your vote at any of the seven available locations. If you’re looking to avoid potential long lines, it’s worth noting that the Hollywood and Downtown Charleston early voting centers usually experience lower turnout.
