Election Day Excitement: Strong Voter Engagement Across Pee Dee Region

Election Day Buzz: Voter Turnout Steady Across the Pee Dee

Florence, SC — It’s a bright and bustling Election Day here in the Pee Dee, with local polling places seeing a steady stream of voters eager to make their voices heard. Election officials are reporting that turnout has been quite impressive so far!

Long Lines, But Spirits High

When the polls first opened, many precincts experienced long lines. However, as the day has progressed, things have calmed down a bit. Carol Epps, who works as a poll clerk at the Latta precinct, shared her excitement about the day. “It’s going really good! The first hour of voting, we had over 100 people cast their ballots, and by the second hour, we were up to about 230,” Epps reported. Even with many folks voting early, she noted that today’s turnout has been “very heavy.”

Counting Numbers in Dillon County

In Dillon County, nearly 3,000 people had already made it to the polls by 1:30 p.m. It’s clear that the community is engaged and ready to participate in shaping their future. Officials believe that once people start leaving work around 5:00 p.m., the numbers will spike again.

Minor Bumps Along the Way

As with any big event, there have been a few hiccups at the polls. Some voters at the Florence Boys and Girls Club precinct found themselves at the wrong voting location and needed a little redirection. Not to worry, though—poll managers were on hand to assist. Julian Young, the Director of the Florence County Elections and Voter Registration Office, reported that early voting has been substantial, with more than 37,000 of their eligible 87,000 registered voters having already cast their ballots before today.

Voter Preferences and Decisions

Interestingly, many voters have shared that they opted not to vote early because they needed additional time to weigh their options. Florence resident Kenyatta Harrell explained, “I needed time to assess everything on both candidates. I think about what’s going on and then evaluate who is the most important for the country.” Meanwhile, Francina Bryant expressed her preference for voting in person, stating, “I like to come here to vote. This is where I like to vote.”

Issues in Marlboro County

Over in Marlboro County, the excitement has been palpable, particularly around the local sheriff’s race. Poll workers had a minor issue with ballot card printers early on and had to rely on emergency ballots for a few voters, but officials assured that the problems were fixed swiftly. Patrice Mathis, a local voter, expressed her concerns about the national economy as a key motivator for her participation today. “The economy, prices of things, has been really hard on my family and the whole nation,” Mathis said, reflecting the thoughts of many voters.

Marion and Darlington Counties Joining in

In Marion County, poll workers were optimistic about turnout, although many voters had already taken advantage of early voting. Similarly, Darlington County election officials noted that the sheriff’s race has attracted a significant number of attendees. It seems that folks across the Pee Dee are rallying to the polls, driven by local issues and national concerns alike.

Stay Tuned for Results!

As the day winds down and ballots continue to be cast, it’s clear that the people of Pee Dee care about the future of their community. ABC15 will be providing ongoing updates throughout the evening, so don’t miss out on the latest results!