South Carolina has witnessed a historic surge in early voting, with 318,602 ballots cast statewide from May 26 through June 5, according to the South Carolina Election Commission. This marks a significant increase from previous years, surpassing the 2024 primary’s early-voting record of 120,178 and the 2022 mark of 100,450.

Horry County’s Strong Turnout

Horry County has been a major contributor to this record-breaking turnout. On the first day of early voting, the county recorded 2,476 ballots, ranking fifth in the state. By the end of the first week, the total reached 8,363, and by June 2, it had climbed to 11,340. Sandy Martin, Director of Registration and Elections for Horry County, anticipated the final count to approach 15,000, well above the 2022 benchmark of 11,600.

Democratic Ballots Lead Early Voting

The early voting period saw a predominance of Democratic ballots, with initial reports indicating that 81.5% of ballots pulled were Democratic. This trend continued, with the Democratic share estimated to be between 60% and 65% by the end of the early voting period. This reflects the impact of redistricting and various congressional contests on voter participation.

Republican Gubernatorial Primary

The Republican gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be a competitive race, with no candidate expected to secure an outright win. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell’s recent endorsement of Attorney General Alan Wilson has added a new dynamic to the race. Despite suspending his campaign, Kimbrell’s name remains on the ballot, and his endorsement may influence a portion of the electorate.

As the state prepares for the primary election, the record early voting numbers underscore a heightened level of voter engagement and interest in the political process in South Carolina.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.