MYRTLE BEACH — Horry County residents head to the polls Tuesday to choose the next chairman for County Council.

But with voter turnout expected to be low for this primary election, the possibility of a runoff election can’t be ruled out.

To avoid a runoff, a winning candidate must get over 50 percent of all votes cast. If that doesn’t happen, the top two vote-getters will face off.

Sandy Martin, director of Horry County Voter Registration, said the runoff election would take place March 26, if needed.

The general election is April 30, but since the five candidates are all Republican, whoever takes the primary should take the chairman’s seat.

The five candidates are: County Council member Al Allen; former council chairman Liz Gilland; local businesswoman Debbie Harwell; former council member Mark Lazarus; and former council candidate Fonzie Lewis.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and registered voters waiting in line at 7 p.m. still will be allowed to vote.

Registered voters are required to show one of five forms of identification in order to vote: South Carolina driver’s license; S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles identification card; voter’s registration card with picture; federal military identification with picture; or a U.S. passport.

The last day to vote absentee in the Horry County Registration and Elections Office is Monday. That office is at 1515 Fourth Ave., in Conway.

Art exhibit continues at county government building

The CREATE! Conway Invitational Art Exhibit continues at the Horry County Government and Justice Center.

The exhibition is the first of its kind at the government building and is being used to showcase a diverse selection of Horry County artists. The display, which runs through April 19, is a partnership between CREATE! Conway and the Horry County Government and Justice Center..

It is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The government center is at 1301 Second Ave. in Conway.

Contact BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301 or follow him at Twitter.com/TSN_bdickerson.