Slow day at Horry County polls for Democratic primary

Horry County voters seeped into the polls at a steady, but typical trickle to cast ballots in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

The polls were looking slow by 3 p.m., but that’s to be expected for a Democratic primary in Republican-heavy Horry County, said Sandy Martin, Horry County’s voter registration manager, adding the weak traffic is typical for this type of election here.

Polls were running smoothly Saturday, but some voters said they were upset because they did not know their precinct had been combined with another and moved.

“We finally hit the jackpot when we landed on our third precinct to come and vote,” Mary McCollough, a Myrtle Beach resident, said outside of Myrtle Beach Fire Station 6 on 38th Avenue North.

She and husband Tom are new voters in the area and got their voter registration cards telling them to cast their ballots at the Ocean View Baptist Church precinct; however, when they arrived, they said they were told voting was not happening there and to go to the Myrtle Beach Fire Station on 79th Avenue North, but were directed to the right place at 38th Avenue North.

“They failed us in a way, and more to the point there were elderly people, senior citizens, who really went out of their way to get out and vote today, but because they were so frustrated by what they encountered, they just went home,” Mary McCollough said.

While frustrated, the couple stuck with their trek to find the right poll and both voted for Clinton on Saturday, which was also their 21st wedding anniversary.

“I voted for Hillary Clinton today because I think it’s far past time when a woman should hold office, and she has a vast amount of experience and education, and all the things she’s done for everyone across the board, who are in need of help. She is the only answer,” Mary McCollough said.

For her husband, Tom, it was a pragmatic decision: He thought Sanders wouldn’t be able to defeat a Republican candidate and thought Clinton could.

When asked about the couple’s dilemma finding the right location, Martin explained that precinct changes are listed on the county’s website and sent to local media as well.

“We publicized it [the precinct changes] as much as we could,” she said.

Martin also said there was some confusion with voters going into the church itself, instead of to the building across the street where voting usually takes place. She also said a sign was on the door, redirecting voters to the correct location.

Another combined precinct at the Myrtle Beach Fire Training Station at 21st Avenue South had a steady stream of voters around noon Saturday and had seen nearly 300 people by about 1 p.m.

At that location, casting his first ballot, was Myrtle Beach High School student Joshua Williams who is 17 but allowed to vote as he will be 18 during the presidential election.

“I voted for Bernie Sanders mainly because of his stance on Wall Street corruption and dismantling that,” he said. “I don’t want the political system to be corrupt.”

Williams was with proud mom, Ronda Williams, who cast her vote in the GOP primary last weekend.

“We have different opinions, but I support him and I’m just happy he’s involved in the process,” she said.

Several voters in the Burgess area expressed similar anti-establishment views that have driven Republican politics in this election, saying they voted for Sanders over Clinton because of his stance against corruption in business and in Washington.

“His campaign donations came from the people, and I don’t think he can be bought,” said Emma Hamden, who voted at the Burgess Community Center, where 176 voters had cast ballots by 3 p.m.

“He’s the lesser of all the evils, that’s about what it’s come down to,” Hamden said of the candidates running in both parties.

Voter turnout was described as “light” and “very light” at several precincts in Horry County. South Conway Elementary School had 225 voters before 2 p.m., and 172 voters cast ballots at St. James High School by late afternoon.

St. James Middle School offered curbside voting for elderly and handicapped voters, with a phone number posted on the outdoor sign to call poll workers to their cars. Still, turnout was very light with only 182 ballots cast by 4 p.m.

Hamden suggested that the election turnout numbers were low because many voters weren’t motivated by the candidates on the ballot.

“People still don’t know, or don’t like any of the candidates,” Hamden said. “They’re undecided because they just don’t feel really good about any of them.”

Julia Mills said she supported Sanders because “he’s the only one not talking out of the side of his mouth.”

Denise Gervais-Rock, who voted for Sanders at St. James High School, said the Vermont senator was her candidate because America “needs a big-time change.”

“I would love to see a woman in the White House in my lifetime, but I don’t think Hillary is the candidate right now,” Gervais-Rock said. “I’m tired of the establishment.”

Katie Knowlin, 65, voted at the Myrtle Beach combined Jetport precinct as well, but cast her ballot for Clinton, who she heard speak Thursday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

“The reason I voted for Hillary is I think she’s the best person for the job. I think she comes with the experience that we need right now at this time. We need someone who can build bridges,” she said.

John Wilson also cast his ballot at the South Conway Elementary School for Clinton.

“She’s been out there working hard for a long time – it’s hers if she wants it,” Wilson said. “She was working on health care reform before Barack Obama.

“She’s my girl.”

Jarrod Edelen, 36, cast his vote for Sanders at the Myrtle Beach YMCA precinct Saturday morning.

“I believe he is an honest candidate who has stuck to his word for decades, and decades, and decades versus the opposition, who, well honestly, has not, and that’s viewable through many records,” he said. “I want gay, married couples to be able to protect their marijuana plants with guns, and he’s the guy to do it.”

This was Edelen’s first time voting in the Democratic primary. He said he was motivated to cast his ballot to spur the sluggish momentum in the low turnout primary, and because it’s always intelligent to vote for your interests.

“It’s a great day here in Myrtle Beach. I’m gonna go enjoy some of the freedoms that many people have fought for, and I’m very grateful that we’re able to vote like this,” he said while proudly sporting his “I voted” sticker on his cheek.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Slow day at Horry County polls for Democratic primary."