Republicans, Democrats excited heading into primaries

York County voters this month will help pare down the candidate list for president. Voters just have to decide which list.

Presidential preference primaries will be held Feb. 20 for Republicans, Feb. 27 for Democrats. Voters may choose either contest to cast their vote, but can’t participate in both.

The Republican ballot lists 12 names in the running as of Feb. 12: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Jim Gilmore, John Kasich, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump. Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum withdrew once the ballot was finalized. Lindsey Graham and George Pataki withdrew earlier.

The Democratic ballot has fewer names: Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders and Willie Wilson.

York County voters will turn out to 95 precincts during the coming votes.

“In both Iowa and New Hampshire on the Republican side, there was record-breaking turnout,” said Wes Climer, chair of the York County Republican Party. “I’m confident we’ll see record breaking turnout in South Carolina, at least on the Republican side.”

The county party doesn’t endorse any candidate at this point, although individual members are involved with campaigns for every candidate on the ballot. Such a large number of Republican candidates is a driving factor behind the excitement.

“It’s driving people to events, it’s driving people to volunteer and it’s going to drive people to polls,” Climer said.

Varying candidate platforms are another reason. Climber calls it “kind of a no-brainer” rallying Republicans later this year against either Clinton or Sanders, the Democratic frontrunners. And among the Republican field, there’s a “very large difference between the candidates,” Climer said.

“The differences are so stark and so different for how these candidates would lead the country,” he said.

Democrats have a slightly different task. Fewer candidates means more party members delving deeper into issues that separate top contendenders.

“Because this is sort of a hotly contested race between two candidates, people are getting into what separates the candidate they like from the other,” said Amy Hayes, chair of the York County Democratic Party. “It has a different dynamic from the Republican race.”

More local party chairs are endorsing candidates than usual, Hayes said. Her group as a whole will remain neutral.

“Back in the old days when the two parties were similar, there were a lot more consensus issues,” she said. “An issue you had with getting younger voters is people would say basically they all believe the same thing, so why does it matter? Now we’re not seeing that.”

The county party continues work hosting campaigns and candidates. The party still has its usual work eying the state Legislature, roads, criminal justice reform and other issues. Hayes continues efforts getting the word out about required photo ID for voting, which she said can be easier for many people than they expect.

“You’ve got your driver’s license? It’s in your wallet?,” she said. “Go vote.”

Voting

There will be a few precinct voting changes in York County due to scheduling conflicts. Pole Branch precinct, which normally votes at All Saints Catholic Church, will instead cast ballots at Scherer Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4800 Charlotte Highway.

There are six precincts with new voting locations. Among them is the Stateline precinct, which will vote at Flint Hill Baptist Church in the Fort Mill area.

Voters will need valid photo ID, which can include a driver’s license, voter registration card, passport or military veteran card.

In-person absentee voting is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, until the day prior to each election, at the county registration and elections office at 13 S. Congress St., York. The office is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 13. Absentee by mail requests are available online at yorkcountygov.com.

In Steele Creek, another voting deadline comes this week despite primaries still a month coming. The voter registration deadline for March 15 primaries is Feb. 19. The March 15 vote includes presidential primaries, and also a variety of local, state and federal offices. Precincts will be open in Mecklenburg County 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. March 15.

The North Carolina estimate from the Census Bureau is 7.75 million potential voters, or 77 percent of the state population.

For more on elections in Steele Creek, visit charmeck.org and search board of elections.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Republicans, Democrats excited heading into primaries."