The historically large turnout of voters for Election Day 2008 resulted in long lines and long delays at many precincts across South Carolina. Before that Election Day, a number of county voter registration offices, especially in the metropolitan areas, were swamped with long lines of persons seeking to take advantage of in-person absentee voting. In seeking to relieve the stress on voters and those who work at the polls, the House passed “no excuse early voting” legislation that would allow voters to cast their ballots as early as five days before Election Day. Appearing on SCETV’s “This Week in the House,”  Horry County Republican Alan Clemmons says he is concerned that with a longer period of early voting, all the information on the candidates that a voter may need to make an informed decision may not be available when they cast their ballot early.

“The further away we get from Election Day, the more change circumstances could occur. For example an early voter may find himself caught in a dilemma. ” Gee! I”ve already cast my vote 45 days in advance and I’ve now discovered new information on the candidate I voted for. Can I change my vote? No it’s cast.” Clemmons says he is proceeding with caution because a candidate may not be truly vetted even a month away from an election. “Those are the things that cause me great hesitation in being in favor of a wide open early voting time.” [Read more...]

Sheheen (L) and McLeod at debates in Newberry County.

Charleston lawyer Mullins McLeod announced today that he’s dropping out of the Democratic race for South Carolina governor. Lachlan McIntosh, McLeod’s general campaign consultant says that he will endorse Democratic candidate Senator Vincent Sheheen of Camden.

Sheheen says, “I think that he decided it was in the best interest of the party and the best interest of the state for us to work together and for us to pursue the race.”

McLeod is the first to leave what previously was a five-way race among Democrats. On the Republican side, Berkeley Senator Larry Grooms dropped out of the GOP’s five-way race last month.

Sheheen has raised far more campaign cash than his Democratic opponents. In his January report, Sheheen had raised more than $958,000. Columbia lobbyist Dwight Drake had more than $510,000, followed by McLeod, $482,000.

Sheheen says Democrats stand a great chance to win this race.

Sheheen says he has appreciated McLeod’s message, of not running purely on a label. Sheheen says he lives in a GOP-leaning district and has been repeatedly elected as a Democrat.

The primaries are June 8.