FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Voter turnout exceeded expectations and the numbers of the primaries in 2014 and 2016.
Election officials said on Tuesday there were several factors that likely played a role, including the local and state races on the ballot, but also the rain.
David Alford, the Executive Director of Elections and Voter Registration in Florence County, said he was expecting yesterday’s numbers to hit 20,000 county-wide. He said he believes the hotly-contested governor race as well as the local competition for probate judge and auditor drove those higher numbers.
“As well as some people get tired of hearing all the hoopla on TV day in and day out, almost a 24/7 cycle, and that being said, that either takes away from the turnout or adds to it,” he said.
Election officials also believed the weather positively impacted early voter turnout and encouraged people to cast their ballots before the rain.
And due to a variety of circumstances, such as remodeling and other events taking place, three of the polling locations (two in Florence and one in Timmonsville) had to be temporarily changed. Alford said he put advertisements in the newspaper and posted signs outside of the original polling places to minimize any confusion. He said it wasn’t an issue on Election Day.
The polling location changes will also be in effect for the runoff elections on June 26.
