Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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Columbia voter turnout not as expected
Posted: 04.06.2010 at 2:47 PM
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Officials say they expected more people to turnout Tuesday morning for Columbia's highly anticipated mayoral election.
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Election officials say there is mixed turnout across the city.

COLUMBIA -- Officials say they expected more people to turnout Tuesday morning for Columbia's highly anticipated mayoral election.

By 11:00 a.m., only 70 out of more than 1,200 active registered voters had cast their ballots at Prince Hall Masonic Lodge on Gervias Street in District II.

The low turnout may be attributed to a federal court judge's decision that the district's council race could not be held on Tuesday.

"We would like to have a good turn out, but yesterday's ruling will obviously have an effect on turnout in District II," says Bryon Gipson with the Columbia Municipal Election Commission.

"I think because of this District II election, had the election gone forward then we would have had more to come out," added Vivian Baker, a Poll Manager at the Masonic Lodge.

At the Shandon Fire Station on Devine Street, Poll Clerk Helen Foley says she feels voter turnout is about normal.

"We've had a steady flow and we are a little over 130 voters and I’m really pleased with that for an off-year primary election," Foley says.

Foley says the ward has more than 900 active registered voters.

The voters that have turned out say they are overall pleased with the process.

"It was fairly simple.  It took maybe three seconds and that was it," said Jeannie Jackson, a District II voter.

"Everybody was very nice and kind and walked me through,  It took me only a couple of seconds and I voted and I am very proud I did," said Justin Novak, a District IV voter.

However, there is one big change that voters seem to have a problem with this year and that’s the missing “I voted” stickers.

Election officials say the stickers fell victim to city budget cuts.

WACH FOX News will continue to follow Tuesday’s election and bring you updates as we gather them.

Rely on our Politics Page for your source on election day for results, news and other information.

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