From the Lowcountry to the Upstate, voters headed to the polls this Election Day, many eager for an end to what they call divisive presidential campaigns.
South Carolina Public Radio sent a team of journalists across the state to talk to voters as they cast ballots not only for president, but for statehouse seats, congressional races and referendums.
Richland County
Gavin Jackson spent part of the day in West Columbia where he spoke with 46-year-old small business owner Tiffany Derrick who said she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris for a variety of reasons.
“I feel a little more independent these days,” Derrick said.
“However, I voted for her and some of the policies regarding housing, education, rights for women in particular, and healthcare as it related to me being able to have autonomy over my body.”
Iris Cypress says she voted for Barack Obama in 2008, a decision she now regrets. This election, she voted for former President Donald Trump who she calls a unifier.
“He wants to cut not tax social security and we had him before. He did a good job,” Cypress said. “We didn’t have all this inflation and everything.”
“His mouth puts people off. But as far as his policies, I like his policies.”
Meantime, Maayan Schechter spent time with voters at the North Forest Acres Trenholm Park voting location in Columbia.
She says voters tried to dodge the rain while casting ballots in what could be one of the area’s most competitive Statehouse races. That’s where incumbent Democratic state Rep. Heather Bauer is facing off against former Republican state Rep. Kirkman Finlay.
She found preference in this race mixed. One couple told her they’re backing Finlay because they like him. Another woman told her she’s voting for Bauer because she backs abortion rights.
Then, there’s 25-year-old Garrison Marcoux who says he voted for both Bauer and former President Donald Trump.
“Her track record is very good in comparison,” Marcoux said.
Chester, Lancaster and York Counties
Scott Morgan spoke with voters in Chester County. They'll decide whether to greenlight $227 million dollars to pay for two new high schools and repairs for a third.
In Chester, where one of those new high schools would go, he found support on the bond measure common.
“I voted yes,” Daryl Woods said. “It’s time for a new school.”
“I understand there are a lot of new homes being built in the area at that the schools are going to need the help,” David Atkinson said.
Across the county in Great Falls, a new roof for the high school is part of the bond package but a lot of voters aren’t convinced the money would be wisely spent.
“I don’t trust the system,” Ron Wells said.
In Lancaster, the school district is asking voters for $588 million to build and repair schools as well. And in York County, a $90 million bond package is on the ballot.
Charleston County
In Charleston County, there were no lines at lunchtime at Mount Pleasant’s Moultrie Middle School where voters quickly cast their ballots.
“I’ve seen the line all the way around the building before and we were dreading it,” Walter Frampton said as he and his wife finished voting. The couple just returned from vacation in Europe.
Elizabeth Smith was surprised too by the quick voting time. Still, she’s anxious.
“I’m a little nervous to be honest about either way it goes, just the way people may react,” Elizabeth Smith said.
Smith wondered if the lack of lines at this typically busy voting site was because of the state’s early voting record. More than 1.5 million South Carolinians had already cast ballots before Election Day. That’s almost half the state’s registered voters.
Karen and Samuel Davis were all smiles after they voted. They say it was the fastest they’ve cast ballots in 25 years.
“We don’t need to be dragging this out any longer,” Karen Davis said.
Husband Samuel agreed.
“I think the whole nation is tired of it. We’ve been waiting for this day.”
Also, on the ballot in part of Charleston County is the race for the 1st Congressional District. County voters will also decide a sheriff’s race and a referendum to fund the extension of I-526.
