Early voting has commenced in Horry County, South Carolina, for the June 9 primary elections, marking the start of an 11-day voting period. Voters can cast their ballots at any of the seven designated centers from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until June 5.

Key Races and Candidates

This primary is particularly significant as it includes the Republican gubernatorial race, with six candidates vying for the nomination. The candidates include Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, and businessman Rom Reddy. With Gov. Henry McMaster term-limited, the race is wide open, and no clear front-runner has emerged.

In the Democratic primary, notable candidates include State Rep. Jermaine Johnson and trial attorney William Mullins McLeod Jr. Additionally, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham faces a crowded Republican primary with several challengers, while the Democratic Senate primary also features multiple candidates.

Voting Details

Registered voters in Horry County can vote at any of the seven centers, including the South Strand Recreation Center and the Voter Registration & Elections office in Conway. A photo ID is required to vote, with acceptable forms including a South Carolina driver’s license or a U.S. passport.

South Carolina’s open primary system allows voters to participate in either party’s primary, but not both. This flexibility is part of the state’s expanded early voting system, which was made permanent in 2022.

Turnout and Expectations

The Nancy Mace campaign reported that over 26,000 people voted on the first day, though this figure is yet to be confirmed by official sources. This number likely represents statewide turnout rather than just Horry County, which has about 250,000 registered voters.

With competitive races and significant positions at stake, including Attorney General and U.S. House seats, voter turnout is expected to be robust. Official turnout numbers will be released by the South Carolina Election Commission and Horry County Voter Registration & Elections later in the week.

Looking Ahead

If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the gubernatorial or Senate primaries, a runoff will be held on June 23. Voters can check their registration status and find sample ballots at scvotes.gov.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.