Voters line up at Calhoun Academy of the Arts in Anderson before polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Paul Hyde/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)
COLUMBIA – A record number of South Carolinians cast a ballot in the general election, the State Election Commission announced Thursday.
The Commission estimates 2,557,000 voters participated in the election, about 24,000 more voters than four years ago.
“South Carolina’s historic turnout reflects the deep commitment and passion of our voters and the increased accessibility made possible by our new early voting process,” said Howard Knapp, executive director of the Commission, in a news release. “We are especially grateful for the dedication of our poll workers, whose tireless efforts are the foundation of secure and accurate elections.”
The total percentage turnout was 75%, according to the release. That’s just under the record set in 2008 when 76% of all voters cast a ballot. In the last presidential contest in November 2020, just over 72% of voters participated.
This was the first presidential election in South Carolina with true, no-excuse-needed early voting under a law passed in May 2022. A significant majority – 58% – voted early in person, with 38% of people voting on election day and 4% voting absentee.
Both early voting and Election Day appeared to go smoothly, although there were some minor issues.
A scuffle at a polling place in Orangeburg during early voting over a “Let’s Go Brandon” hat made headlines. On Election Day, five polling places in McCormick County lost power, according to Patrick Moody, the election director, but voting managed to continue uninterrupted.