Early SC turnout report

[hiaasenrocks]

I haven't gone to vote yet, but a friend of mine is working at a polling place and says that so far (10 a.m. Eastern, polls open for 3 hours now) turnout is very low.

Granted, it's Saturday so people might be taking their time (just as I am) but it would be interesting if turnout is low today. Would people say it's because the campaign has gone so negative? Which candidate would be helped by a lower turnout?

If I have any other first-hand updates throughout the day, I'll post them.

[sunonmars]

1. I'd be severely disappointed after all the hoopla if turnout was really low.

I mean what do you need to get people out to vote, military escort.

[hiaasenrocks]

3. Same here. AND please remember that I am only reporting what

is happening at one polling place.

I really think it has more to do with this being a weekend day, and it's still early.

Also, I just heard on MSNBC that some areas are reporting record turnout. So...who knows?

[sunonmars]

6. people are funny you know, i've seen it before

if they think a candidate has it in the bag, they get complacent and think they don't need to go vote, when in reality, everyone is thinking that and turnout gets low.

It all depends how strong peoples desire to vote are.

The GOTV is very very important these days.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Thanks, hiaaserocks....

I'll be checking in with your reports from the man-on-the-ground perspective. :-) After I go to the store to get Cheese-Its!

[hiaasenrocks]

4. You're welcome.

From a former NC resident (Raleigh), a fellow Edwards supporter and a big-time Cheez-it fan, here's hoping you have a nice day and our guy wins!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Thanks for the information

I've heard there was some confusion over dates and that some of the polling places had changed. Could these also be reasons for the low turnout?

[hiaasenrocks]

7. Where did you hear that?

[sunonmars]

11. I'd also heard that registration for voting ended like weeks ago and

a lot of people that were polled had not registered to vote in time. Could account for screwyness of some polls.

I mean, is that true, i don't know.

[hiaasenrocks]

14. I'm confused about that registration issue.

We have open primaries here, which of course means you can vote in either party's primary. I heard that the SC Repubs had closed their primary to people who had not registered by a certain date but the SC Dems had left it open later.

In SC, the primaries are run by the parties, not by the state (as most states do it) so I have no idea how they reconcile their respective party rules with state law on registration.

Sorry I can't help, but as you can see, it's kind of confusing.

[sunonmars]

15. yeah its strange

but i imagine theres a lot of voters who didnt register in time that can't vote, could make all the difference to candidates.

[mth44sc]

23. registration ended

about a month ago

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

21. maybe

it was the flap over the GOP primary. But I did read something here a while back about all of this.

[Radical Activist]

8. Clinton benefits from low turn out

That's why she's so quick to go negative. Its the same game the Republicans play because they know they'll lose if more people vote.

[geiger]

13. interesting....

[saltpoint]

9. I was hoping someone from SC would post a turn-out thread. Thank you.

I bet by day's end there'll be lots more than expected.

Go, South Carolina Democrats!

[Seen the light]

10. Turnout very high in Lancaster

That's according to my cousin who I called up when I saw this thread.

For all of you evil Edwards fans (kidding of course!), high turnout in upstate SC (where Lancaster is located) is a good thing for him.

[hiaasenrocks]

12. Thanks for the update from Lancaster. (I'm in Mount Pleasant)

[DemDogs]

16. Edwards family comes from upstate (n/t)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. No Disrepect To You But I Am Always Weary Of Anecdotal Evidence

We will find out soon enough about turnout...

[hiaasenrocks]

22. I addressed that in two posts.

[City Lights]

18. Thanks for the info, hiaasenrocks.

I'll be watching for your updates throughout the day. :hi:

[mth44sc]

19. Just back from voting

cast my ballot in a precinct just south of Georgetown at approx. 10:20 AM

Was voter number 35

The poll worker indicated surprise at the low number and said it paled in comparison to last weeks vote. The poll worker I was speaking to is a democrat.

[tekisui]

20. I love cheeze-its.

[balantz]

24. Thanks hiaasenrocks!

:hi:
:kick: :bounce:
GO EDWARDS!!!!