What you need to know before voting in Tuesday’s Horry County runoff election
For folks who love to exercise their right to vote, today is your second chance this month to enter a polling booth in Horry County.
In South Carolina, if a candidate does not secure a majority of the vote during an election, a run-off is declared. This is true for both general elections and partisan primaries like the one held on June 9.
If you voted in the early primary, you must stick with the party’s ballot you chose when voting in Tuesday’s runoff. If you didn’t vote then, you can still vote in a runoff on either party’s ballot.
But for Horry County, only the Republican Party will have runoff primaries today. Horry is one of five counties in South Carolina to have a county-wide primary.
Horry County Auditor candidates Beth Calhoun and R A Johnson will be on all local runoff ballots regardless of precinct or district. Incumbent Lois Eargle isn’t seeking another term. Calhoun secured the most votes in the June 9 primary.
There will be two more runoffs, but only people living in the respective districts will be able to cast a vote. Some election precincts were combined due to the coronavirus outbreak, so please check your sample ballot on SCVotes.org before voting to ensure you are at the right precinct and get the right ballot for your district.
You can also call Horry County elections at 843-915-5440 if you have questions.
Horry County Council District 9 voters will be able to vote for either Mark Causey or Terry Fowler to represent the Loris and Longs area. Longtime Council Member Paul Prince decided not to run again. Causey secured the most votes in the first election.
The whole state will be watching the outcome of the District 33 South Carolina Senate runoff between incumbent Luke Rankin and challenger John Gallman. The district includes many residents in areas including Carolina Forest, Forestbrook, Myrtle Beach and Conway. Rankin secured the most votes during the June 9 primary.
All three local runoffs will essentially decide the race since the winner will face no further opposition come November.
If you still have your absentee ballot that arrived on Saturday, it needs to reach the Horry County elections office by 7 p.m. There will be a drive-up, drop-off box at the election office on Fourth Avenue in Conway next to the BB&T bank.
Horry County Elections Director Sandy Martin said you can also still cast a vote at the polls even if you requested an absentee ballot.
Again, for those planning on voting in person, please check online or call the elections office to make sure you are heading to the right precinct. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. As long as you’re in the line to vote by 7 p.m., poll workers must let you cast a ballot.
You will also need to bring valid picture identification to fully cast your ballot. This doesn’t need to be the new “real IDs.” It can be your South Carolina driver’s license, a passport, military ID or a voter registration card with your picture in it.
If you forgot your ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. For that ballot to count, you must go to the elections office and show your valid ID before polls close.
The South Carolina Elections Commission encourages all voters to wear a mask. While it is not a requirement to vote, it shows you care about your community. You should also consider bringing your own pen to avoid using communal ones.
Preliminary results will be available Tuesday night with certification happening later in the week.
