Poll workers at the East precinct. PHOTO BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD

By Betsy Finklea
Turnout has been reported to be light throughout many polls in the county as the primary election is underway. There are local races in County Council District Five (Harold Moody, Allen Lane, Charles Taylor), District Six (Andrew “Deboy” Graves, Robbie Coward) and District Seven (Joe Johnson, Shawn “Toad” Bethea, MIchael Cooper, Stevie Grice, Tom Rowland, James “Pee Wee” Webster). All local races are part of the Democratic Primary.
Voters must choose whether or not they plan to vote in the Democratic or Republican Primary, and voters must show a Photo ID.

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PHOTOS BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD

Opening of the absentee ballots began at 9 a.m. Before the opening started, District Six Candidate Andrew “Deboy” Graves challenged all votes witnessed by Brad Coward, Barbara Davis, and Stephen Davis based on the S.C. Codes Of Law 7-25-60 and 7-25-100. He presented a letter to the election commission members. Candidate Robbie Coward said he challenged every other ballot in District Six, but he gave no reason for the challenge. “We’ll let an attorney figure it out,” said Coward. Graves said a person has to have a reason for the challenge. Coward said he would “let the court decide.”
The challenged ballots will be set aside and will be decided on at the certification hearing on Thursday.