Election officials brace for large voter turnout

By Kelly Gillespie
Reporter
Published: October 4, 2008

FLORENCE—It’s now past deadline for South Carolina residents to register to vote in Nov. 4 election.

But, earlier Saturday voter registration offices were open in the Pee Dee and across the state and many people took advantage of that to register.

Application after application and resident after resident, Florence County is on pace to have one its highest voter turnouts for an election.

“More than I have seen since I have been here, but the enthusiasm is just great,” Bertha Scott, assistant director of Florence County Voter Registration and Elections.

“I wish that all kids could vote so we’d be able to select who we think would be able to run the White House,” 12-year-old Gordon Washington, a self-described campaign follower, said.

“Me and my husband feel like it’s really important that our kids are informed because we want them to know that things are going wrong in the world,” Cathy Washington, Gordon’s mother said.

The Washington family has been experiencing this election process together from watching the debates to registering to vote.

“For Barack, I like the way his speeches are and how he acts around the people. McCain I like the same and he has Palin on his side. I think she might end up changing my mind,” Gordon Washington said.

Gordon Washington is taking this election process in even accompanying his parents to the Voter Registration Office.

“I just want to come here for support,” Gordon Washington said.

Officials told News13 that it could take up to three weeks to get all the applications processed and registration cards sent out.

Monday alone they received 1,000 applications in the mail.