Low Voter Turnout in Palmetto State

Two weeks after the state's primaries, only Republican candidates made the ballot for the runoff in the great state of South Carolina. Having that said, less voters were even eligible to vote in the first place. Only Republicans and those who did not vote in the primaries could cast their decision in this runoff.

We stopped by a voting spot at Fire Station No. 5 in Myrtle Beach in Horry County and talked with voters. Many felt it was necessary to vote in the runoff because "it counts more than the primary", it's the decision maker for November's ballot.

One voter said it was much easier to vote on the runoff because there weren't nearly as many choices as the primary. The 1st Congressional District seat and Governor candidates in the Republican party appeared on the ballot. Republican Tim Scott took the races for the 1st Congressional District seat and female pheonmenon Nikki Haley, a Sarah Palin supported candidate, grabbed the Governor Republican spot.

Photo Courtesy: wmbfnews.com

When we came to the primary voting place at Fire Station No. 5 two weeks prior, voters lined up and piled in. It was quite the opposite for the runoff. Since Horry County residents come from different states, many voters don't seem to be dedicated to South Carolina politics yet.

Holly Tankersley, WMBF News' Political Analyst, said this runoff certainly had it's disadvantages.

"It's very difficult especially when we're talking a runoff in only one party," Tankersley explained. "You just really have to beat the bushes. Go out there, shake people's hands, tell them how important it is. "

Sandy Martin, the director of registration and elections for Horry County, echoed the fact that turnout does tend to drop for runoffs.

"People, they're all hyped up for the first one," she said. "Unfortunately, they need to be hyped up for the second one because this is going to be the deciding factor so we hope everyone will turn out again."

Jennifer gave me the opportunity to record at Look Live VO/SOT. I'm very pleased with my writing and enthusiasm. I still need to slow down in this one, but I was able to record going all the way through and I'm definitely getting better at just running through and talking, like a live shot. I want to be as best I can in this area, especially because I'll be reporting live once a week in the fall.

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