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Early Voters Turn Out In Record Numbers Statewide

Absentee voters wait in line outside Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant
Victoria Hansen/ SC Public Radio
Absentee voters wait in line outside Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, absentee or early voters are making their way to the polls in droves.  The state election commission estimates more than one million absentee ballots could be cast in South Carolina.

The pandemic is making it possible for all voters to cast ballots absentee this year with the courts and state legislature adjusting rules for both the June primaries and the November election.

Many voters say the presidential race is motivating them to turn out early as they anticipate even longer lines come election day.  But the state is also witnessing a heated U.S. Senate race as long-time Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham faces a well funded challenge from Democrat Jaime Harrison.

The race for the 1st Congressional district, which stretches from Charleston to Hilton Head, is also getting plenty of attention. Republicans have been eyeing the seat ever since Democrat Joe Cunningham flipped it for the first time in decades two years ago.  He's being challenged by state representative Nancy Mace who has received support from President Trump.