‘All politics is local’: York County voters head to polls on primary election day
York County voters who waited for the South Carolina primary election day instead of voting early headed to the polls Tuesday to make sure their voice is heard in local, state and national elections.
Lines were short after polls opened at 7 a.m., and all precincts opened on time, said Alan Helms, director of York County Voter Registration and Elections. Officials said voting on election day may be less because of the huge turnout in early voting that went on for two weeks until June 5.
More than 12,500 people in York County voted early, Helms said.
“The early voting in this primary was more than double the early voting we had in the 2024 primary,” Helms said. “A substantial number of people already voted.”
Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters could choose either the Republican or Democratic primary to vote in.
In the closely watched governor’s race, Republican candidates include U.S. Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and businessman Rom Reddy.
Democrats are choosing among state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, lawyer Mullins McLeod and businessman Billy Webster to be the nominee for governor in November’s general election.
If no candidate gets over 50 percent of the vote Tuesday in any contested primary with more than two candidates, a runoff of the top two will be June 23.
Silfab a key issue in Fort Mill
In Fort Mill, the Silfab controversy was a key part of voters’ concerns, especially on the Republican side where there are competitive races for a county council seat and a S.C. House Representatives seat. The solar plant off U.S. 21 near the state line with Charlotte has galvanized many in Fort Mill who are opposed to its location near schools and neighborhoods.
Michael Lee, a parent of school-aged children, said he opposed the Silfab site location and wanted his vote to reflect his ongoing concerns.
“All politics is local as they say,” Lee said about the Silfab issue.
He supported incumbent Republican county council member Debi Cloninger.
“She was a no vote on Silfab originally,” Lee said.
Lee also voted for incumbent S.C. Rep. David Martin in contested District 26 against challenger Elizabeth Enns. He said Martin been “active against Silfab.”
For governor, Lee said he chose Rom Reddy because he believed Reddy took the strongest stance against Silfab.
Jake Edwards of Fort Mill, who voted Republican and said he is a Christian, said voting is crucial to democracy.
“It is important that our vote is counted --- if you don’t vote your opinion isn’t counted,” Edwards said. “It is even more important today: We need the right people.”
Edwards said for governor, he voted for Norman, the York County native who before being elected to Congress represented the area in the S.C. General Assembly.
“He’s served in Congress and has the experience,” Edwards said.
Edwards also voted for incumbents Cloninger and Martin. He said Cloninger has been “out front against Silfab” and Martin is an incumbent who “has done a good job.”
Aislinn Call of Fort Mill voted in the Democratic primary. She said she was “super excited” to vote and had a focus on statewide and national races to vote for challengers to Republican leadership.
“We have a mess going on,” Call said of national Republican-dominated politics.
Call said she voted for Jermaine Johnson for governor and Annie Andrews for U.S. Senate.
“Lindsey (current Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham) is going,” Call said. “I am hoping that it makes a difference.”
Andrews faces two other candidates in the Democratic race for U.S. Senate while incumbent Graham is in a primary of his own against several challengers on the Republican side.
Rock Hill voters on both sides
A few miles south in Rock Hill, Linda Miller said she voted Republican because she was excited to vote for Norman and Graham. Miller said she had campaigned for Rock Hill’s Norman in previous elections.
“I like him and his ways,” Miller said of Norman.
Leigh Edwards of Rock Hill voted in the Democratic primary because she said the country needs to be more reflective of all Americans.
“Hopefully we will see changes,” Edwards said. “We all need to vote.”
She opted for Johnson for governor, Mallory Dittmer in a competitive race for U.S. Congress District 5, and Annie Andrews for U.S. Senate.
Donzella Lane of Rock Hill said she voted in the Democratic primary. She did not want to say which candidates she voted for, but said the importance of participating in the election and making her voice heard is vital. She said concern over Republican attempts at redistricting U.S. Congressional seats in South Carolina and other Southern states shows the importance of people using their right to vote and making sure “our voice is heard.”
“With everything going on in this country, it is critical to vote to make the necessary changes,” Lane said.
