South Carolina is seeing record voter turnout, and the trend continues in Berkeley County

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) – The number of early voting in South Carolina is unprecedented. Record attendance was reported across the state just two days after the trial began.

“Early voting is new in South Carolina. It didn’t officially begin as early voting until 2022,” said Rosie Brown, director of voter registration and elections for Berkeley County. “And the number of people showing up early to vote is seeing record turnout.”

Brown noted that about 1,000 people visited early voting sites on the first day alone, and she expects similar numbers for the remaining days of early voting. In Berkeley County, nearly 1,400 people voted on the first day, leading to long lines.

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Matthew Johnson, a voter from Berkeley County, described the experience saying, “We were online for a long time outside in the baking sun. And finally we came in here and realized that this line goes all the way down here,” then down the hallway and back. It’s been two hours since we’ve been here.

With only four precincts open for early voting compared to 94 on Election Day, finding suitable locations for 12 consecutive voting days was a challenge. Brown explained the need for adequate facilities.

“Since the building is also available for this period, they must have sufficient parking and space so that we can offer voters privacy in the place where they can also cast their vote.”

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Berkeley County officials are encouraging voters to consider less crowded districts.

“In the area at the north end of the county, fewer voters are going there to vote,” Brown said. “And if people know they can go to the Church of the Redeemer in Pineville, I think they will see an increase there and have a shorter wait.”

Despite the waiting times, voters remain committed to participating in the electoral process. Ned Washington, another Berkeley County voter, emphasized the importance of voting.

“You have to go through the process, and if you don’t go through the process, then our system doesn’t work,” Washington said. “You see the people who are here, they become because they want to go through the process. It doesn’t matter who votes for whom. It’s important that we participate in the system.”