Voters Tuesday pick lineup for November

Republicans and Democrats across South Carolina will go to the polls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to decide which candidates they want on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The weather forecast — a typically hot Lowcountry summer day — isn't expected to keep many from voting, although turnout for these state and local primaries traditionally hovers around the 20 percent to 30 percent mark, well below the number expected to vote this fall in the general election.

Statewide, each party has only one primary race, and that's for the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Lindsey Graham faces a challenge from Lexington orthodontist Buddy Witherspoon on the Republican side, while lawyer Michael Cone of Mount Pleasant and engineer and flight trainer Bob Conley of North Myrtle Beach vie for the Democratic Senate nomination.

The most hotly contested races have a more local flavor.

In Charleston and Berkeley counties, much of this season's political heat has been generated by the Republican primary between 9th Circuit solicitor candidates Scarlett Wilson and Blair Jennings, while Dorchester County has a closely watched GOP race for sheriff, as Terry Boatwright and L.C. Knight vie to replace Sheriff Ray Nash.

One reason those primaries are among the most visible is because the stakes are high: Whoever wins those races is all but guaranteed to get elected this fall because they will have no Democratic opponent.

Across the Lowcountry, there are relatively fewer local Democratic races, although political newcomer Linda Ketner faces perennial candidate Ben Frasier in a 1st District congressional primary. The incumbent, Rep. Henry Brown, also faces a primary challenge from Paul V. Norris of Johns Island and Katherine Jenerette of North Myrtle Beach.

Democrats also have three state House and Senate primaries, including battles in House Districts 111 and 115 and Senate Districts 42 and 45.

Republicans also have primary battles in House Districts 94, 98, 112 and 117. The state Senate District 38 primary also has attracted a lot of interest as former Sen. Mike Rose challenges incumbent Randy Scott. A magistrate recently dismissed a DUI charge against Scott stemming from his April 19 arrest.

Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties also have a handful of GOP primaries for county council seats, and Charleston County also has a Republican primary for coroner, while Dorchester County also has Republican primaries for auditor and treasurer.

Voters have until 5 p.m. Monday to cast an absentee vote in person at their county's election office.

Those planning to vote at the polls Tuesday need to bring their voter registration card or identification issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, such as a drivers license.

Reach Robert Behre at rbehre@postandcourier.com or 937-5771.