Election day is just days away, and election officials are working overtime to make sure everything will run smoothly.
The electronic voting machines in Horry County have caused problems in the past.
Officials are taking steps to make sure nothing goes wrong this time.
The Horry County IT department programmed the voting machines instead of election officials. If they do go haywire, the machines keep a paper trail inside. Plus, there should be enough paper ballots for voters to use, unlike the Republican presidential primary when they ran out.
Absentee voting was 'in-and-out easy' for the Gambers. It was their first time using the electronic machines.
"Very good. It's nice and easy to vote with the push type voting machine. It's real nice," Charles Gamber said.
Sandy Martin, the Horry County election director, said she just hopes it goes just as smoothly election day. "I know it's going to be a very busy day."
The Republican presidential primary was a fiasco. The machines were not set right and beeped in error.
Martin said that is why the Horry County IT department now sets the machines. "That and we don't have time to do it. I only have four staff full-time now."
The Horry County election office staff is working more than full-time, dealing with long absentee voter lines and making sure everything is in order for the precincts.
"We were here until 11:30pm Tuesday night, so they've been long days," said Martin.
Martin says they will have plenty of paper ballots at each polling location, and even more extras at the voting office, just in case there is an electronic glitch because this is a big election.
"I think the largest turnout we have had in a general election is about 75%. I think we'll top 80% or better. I think it's going to be a record turnout," Martin said.
And, a record number to use these electronic machines.
"I think it's much easier for the senior citizens," said Gamber.
As long as the are operating properly.
"I'm just hoping for a smooth election," said Martin.
For clarification, South Carolina does not have early voting. It has absentee voting.
Here are the qualifying reasons to vote absentee:
· Persons who will be outside their county of residence on Election Day
· Members of the Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine, and their spouses
and dependents residing with them
· Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on
election day
· Physically disabled persons
· Persons sixty-five years of age or older
· Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day
· Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election
or within a four-day period before the election
· Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the
election
· Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of
arrest or trial
· Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
· Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials
working on Election Day
To find your polling location, click on the following link:
