Light voting, few snarls

With lingering memories of last Election Day's long lines and four-hour waits, local voters had a far different experience at their polling stations Tuesday.

Voters turned out in much fewer numbers for the handful of lower profile municipal elections throughout the Lowcountry.

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Marilyn Bowers, director of the Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, reported a 22.4 percent turnout, or 18,973 voters, with virtually all precincts reporting.

Even Mount Pleasant's steady stream of voters, likely drawn by a contentious, three-way mayoral battle and crowded Town Council race, didn't trigger problems.

"It's totally different atmosphere than a big general election," Bowers said.

A total of 723 out of 3,545 possible Berkeley County voters, a manageable 20.3 percent, turned in ballots, said Berkeley County Elections and Voter Registration Director Wanda Farley.

The county's biggest problems, she said, were comparatively small compared with years past: A few residents showed up to vote but were turned away because they didn't live within Moncks Corner city limits.

Her office also reported slight confusion in the morning hours over voters who went to their normal polling locations. With only the Town Council race and a question over Sunday alcohol sales, everyone had to vote at the Moncks Corner municipal complex on Carolina Avenue.

Evidence of the light turnout was not only borne out in the final numbers but at the polling stations scattered throughout the Lowcountry.

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Only a few voters had stopped by Mason Preparatory School in downtown Charleston by the end of the morning rush hour. Looking at his short list of signatures, poll manager Larry Libater said even some of those people did not vote because their council districts did not have races.

Although the parking lot was full at the National Guard Armory on Mathis Ferry Road in Mount Pleasant, the traffic didn't compare with the general election last year.

Looking at just one full page of voter signatures shortly before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, poll worker J.H. Richardson said, "Last year at this time it was probably on page four."