Long lines form at voting precincts across Upstate, South Carolina

[TomCADem]

Source: WYFF4

9 a.m.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison are finally facing off in South Carolina's most expensive Senate contest. Graham is seeking his fourth term on Tuesday and faces his most stalwart general election opponent to date in Harrison. The contest has been propelled by an onslaught of spending from both candidates as well as a slew of third-party groups. Harrison has bested all Senate fundraising records, becoming the first candidate to amass a war chest of more than $100 million. Graham has raised about $67 million and his third-quarter haul of $28 million represented a quarterly record for any GOP Senate candidate.

8 a.m.:

Election Day has arrived for the most expensive U.S. House race in South Carolina history as Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham tries to hold on to the seat he managed to flip from Republicans in 2018. Cunningham takes on Republican state Rep. Nancy Mace on Tuesday in the district that stretches from Hilton Head Island to Charleston. He was the first Democrat to flip a U.S. House seat from Republicans in the state since 1986, and national Republicans started targeting his seat just days after his election in the hopes of regaining a majority in the House. The candidates have spent a combined $10 million.

7 a.m. :

Long lines formed across the Upstate before the polls even opened.

At some precincts, people lined up as early as 4:45 a.m. to vote.

Read more: https://www.wyff4.com/article/long-lines-form-at-voting-precincts-across-upstate-south-carolina/34560340

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

1. Small town east of Columbia three polling places

I pass to get to work lines blocks long never seen this turn out before

[CrispyQ]

2. While I agree that the states should manage their elections,

there should also be some standardization, like how certain keystrokes work in every computer application. It's just crazy that it's easier to vote in some states than others.

[TomCADem]

4. There Should Be a Polling Weekend at Minimum..

...plus a minimum number of polling sites or even better ballot drop off areas where voters can simply drop off vote by mail ballots.

[Canoe52]

12. So easy to vote by mail here in Washington, ridiculous this isn't done everywhere.

No lines, no having to get off work (or go in early or after work when you’re tired or have kids to get home to...) no standing in the rain or snow...
Plus I can go online and find out if my ballot has been received and counted.

[TomCADem]

14. I passed by a couple of vote centers in CA over the weekend...

...and there were no lines. I am still glad I dropped off my ballot early, but it is really convenient, plus you make better decisions if you can sit down and chew through the ballot.

Still, with turnout being high in California already, I almost want to check out the nearest vote center to see if there are still people voting in the last day. On the one hand, kudos for voting. On the other hand, why did procrastinate to the last day!?!?

[fierywoman]

15. Yes! I'm so grateful I live and vote in WA state! AND I like the idea that my vote is

on a very thick piece of paper ... just in case, y'know?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

23. I feel the same about voting in CA.

Every registered voter gets a ballot in the mail, then can return it by mail, dropbox or polling location. We got ours and the next day my wife handed the completed ballots to the manager at the local post office. Then check on line and it's done.

[marybourg]

16. The less standardization, the more difficult to hack.

[Ligyron]

22. But the easier it is to cheat.

[beachbumbob]

3. need perspective on what long lines mean in this area. Is this a blue area or a red area?

[honest.abe]

9. From the video, looks like a major blue area to me.

I dont see a single redneck white face!

[iluvtennis]

10. Near Columbia which is big college town area. Jaime Harrison expected to do well in college

areas.

[pfitz59]

5. The polls shouldn't close

until the last person in line votes

[dsc]

17. that is the way it works all of those in line at closing time vote

[Dr. Jack]

6. Is that good or bad?

[marie999]

7. So far I have gotten a 403 forbidden so wanted to see if this worked.

[barbtries]

8. the more people vote,

the better it is for Democrats. All these reports have me feeling very optimistic.

[RandySF]

19. Upstate SC is deep red.

[barbtries]

21. no doubt.

as a general rule of thumb the more people vote, the better it is for the Democrats. if that wasn't the case republicans would not be suppressing the vote in every way they can finagle.

SC, MS, AL, LA, i don't want to write them off but they are deeply red states. i do not have high expectations that any of those states will go to Biden. I do believe that the margins may be less than 2016, because there are a lot of republicans out there who are sick to death of this president and the constant chaos and drama.

[appmanga]

11. I've been on the ground in SC...

...and the long lines today are a bit of a surprise because there were long lines for nearly every day of early voting. Usually this means shorter lines on Election Day. I have no idea what this means, but when more people vote, Democrats usually win.

Edited to add: after seeing this report, I think this is indicative of a possible unexpected wave of black voters turning out today. These would be voters who didn't want to stand in the very long early voting lines. This report said there are about 200,000 voters from that area who haven't yet voted. Greenville is a very Democratic area that is also a college town (Furman U.). If there's heavy turnout there today, Lindsay Graham should be worried. Is this is reflected in other areas of the state like Columbia, Clemson, and the Charleston suburbs, Graham should be very worried.

[sandensea]

13. Note to Lindsey: Provincetown awaits

He'll finally be a happy man.

[Karma13612]

20. ??

Itching to know what you mean!

[RandySF]

18. That's deep red territory.

[SayItLoud]

24. Long lines. Remember the tRUMP strategy is Election day turn out of his Cult45ers. So,

long lines can cut both ways.