THE ISSUE: Voter turnout on Nov. 4

OUR OPINION: Election Day culminates challenging times for voter officials

Across the nation, concern is being expressed about the voting process on Tuesday. Record registration and absentee voting are expected to be followed by massive turnout on Nov. 4. Whether the resulting problems prove to be technological or human error amid the crush, there are bound to be issues.

Locally, the NAACP in the weeks ahead of the election has expressed concerns about delayed and incorrect voter registration cards, as well a shortage of people in the Orangeburg County Voter Registration Office capable of answering questions.

The long lines of voters at the office this week waiting to cast absentee ballots is likely a preview of what is to come on Tuesday. People will need to be patient, even though Howard Jackson, the director of voter registration and elections, says his office has been supplied with extra personnel and student volunteers to assist during the pre-election process and on Election Day. Orangeburg County election commissioners say they, too, are helping.

The manpower surely is needed in the face of the office’s loss of experienced personnel. There also have been problems such as the rescheduling of a town election in Elloree because public notice of the vote was not provided according to election law. And there is the matter of an ongoing State Law Enforcement Division investigation of absentee voting during the June primaries.

The net result is concern about Tuesday.

Jackson has told voters that all efforts are being made to ensure the process allows every eligible person to participate. He has provided advice on how to ensure that happens, from urging elderly voters to cast absentee ballots so they do not have to wait in lines on Nov. 4 to asking voters requesting absentee ballots in the past weeks to state in writing the reason for their request so as to prevent the delays caused by having voter officials call the person to get the explanation.

Nationwide concerns expressed about voting machines have been little discussed here amid the rush. The hope will be that South Carolina’s system, which has been singled out by critics as lacking in verification capability, will be up to the challenge of a record number of voters in the state (2.5 million are registered). With a record number of more than 200,000 absentee ballots requested in the state for the Nov. 4 election, there is every reason to believe the Tuesday turnout will set a record.

Ensuring the integrity of the process is essential. Having poll managers and election officials available to dispel myths about straight-party voting and eligibility is essential. Having voters with patience for the job election officials are doing is equally necessary.

Be prepared. Know where you are to vote. Have registration cards or identification readily available. Your time and the time of others will be saved. Give the process a fair chance to work and work well. The challenge is a big one.

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