Officials: York Co. primary voter turnout ‘dismal’

YORK COUNTY, SC (WBTV) - Voting in this year's South Carolina primary election wraps up around 7, but elections officials say one thing was noticeably missing from the polls today… voters.

In fact, one precinct in our viewing area only saw a 4% voter turnout, Tuesday.

One poll worker said Tuesday's voter turnout was the worse she seen in years.

"Very dismal, very shallow, not many," said poll worker Bonnie Davis.

On Tuesday afternoon, one precinct in York only had a little over 100 voters show up out of 27,000 registered voters.

WBTV spoke with several voters who say the low turnout may be caused by the public not knowing who who's on the ballot.

"It's not for me to be aware, it's for the candidates to tell me who they are. I'm not supposed to go out and find out who these people are," said voter Rick Weinberg.

One thing elections officials say didn't keep voters away from the polls, Tuesday, was the new law requiring voters to bring photo identification. In fact, poll workers say that wasn't a problem at all.

"Most of everybody has come in with their ID and ready to give it to us, In fact they asked us, 'do you need my ID?'," said Davis.

One message was made clear by many voters who decided to come out Tuesday.

"If you don't vote then there is no need to complain, none whatsoever," said voter Jerry Oats.

"I like to be able to complain, so I voted," said voter Jim Bradford.

Officials expect turnout numbers to rise somewhat after most people get off of work.

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