Beaufort County Sees Record Turnout for Early Voting
The scenic town of Beaufort, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as residents head to the polls earlier than ever this election season. On a cool morning, when Paul Singleton decided to cast his vote at the St. Helena Branch Library, he found the experience to be a breeze. “I don’t have to stand in a long line,” said the 50-year-old carpenter, pleased with the convenience that early voting offers. “It took me just 10 minutes.”
No Excuse Needed
Thanks to a new early voting initiative introduced by the Board of Voter Registration and Elections, Beaufort County has kicked off a two-week “no excuse” early voting period. This means that anyone can vote before the traditional election day without having to provide reasons like an illness or age, which is required for absentee voting. This new approach has been a hit among residents, enabling them to sneak a vote in before the usual rush that comes with voting on the official day.
As the numbers roll in, it’s clear that the community is taking full advantage of this opportunity. As of Friday afternoon, about 56,855 people, which makes up 40% of Beaufort County’s registered voters, had already cast their ballots. This impressive turnout marks the highest early voting participation the county has seen since at least 2008, according to Marie Smalls, who oversees the board.
Excitement for Increased Participation
“We have a record number turnout,” Smalls excitedly shared. It’s a stark contrast to previous elections. Early voting first made its debut in the county during the mid-term elections in 2022, which accounted for 20% of total turnout. However, this election marks the first time this new voting method is being widely tested during a presidential election, and interest levels are through the roof.
The upcoming presidential race is on everyone’s mind, with candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck-and-neck in the polls. In addition to the presidential battle, the ballot is packed with local, state, and federal races along with a hefty $950 million transportation referendum that has certainly piqued public interest.
Comparing Past Elections
“Looking at the presidential election in 2020, in-person absentee voting was unusually high because of the pandemic. Back then, it accounted for 33,591 votes,” Smalls pointed out. This year, however, we’re already seeing a remarkable difference with over 56,000 early votes.
As early voting started on October 21, the community quickly got into a smooth routine, with daily counts hovering around 5,000 votes being cast. There’s also been a noticeable easing of lines, making it a more comfortable experience for voters.
Voter Sentiment
One voter, David Berry, a U.S. citizen from Lady’s Island originally from Great Britain, shared, “I want to make sure my vote is in and counted.” He commented on the significance of this election for the future of the nation. Early voting, he noted, helps alleviate potential last-minute headaches on election day.
Preparing for Election Day
With a total of 31 additional precincts added for election day, the county is taking steps to ensure the voting process flows smoothly. A dedicated team of around 85 temporary workers has been mobilized across the four early voting locations, providing an extra hand to help things run without a hitch.
While early votes will not be counted until polls close at 7 p.m. on election day, Smalls hopes that the increased early turnout will ease the load on that day, allowing for quicker results. “We’re all excited about the turnout, which is giving our voters the chance to get out and cast their votes early,” Smalls shared.
As early voting wraps up on Saturday, it’s anticipated that possibly as many as 64,000 voters, or 45% of eligible voters, will have voted before election day rolls around. Beaufort County’s turnout during the 2020 presidential election was 71%, and with these enthusiastic numbers, Smalls expects to surpass that rate this year.
