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In South Carolina, Polling Place Breakdowns and Harassment

Jennifer Schultz |
November 2, 2010 | 11:49 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Voter turnout was high at precincts on the morning of Election Day in South Carolina.  Pre-election polls state that Republican Tim Scott is set to win the 1st Congressional District House seat and Republican Nikki Haley is favored to win the gubernatorial race.  Both are backed by the Tea Party campaign.

If Scott wins his election, he will be the first black GOP congressman since 2003. If Haley wins her election, she will be the first woman and second Indian-American governor of South Carolina. 

The GOP is favored to win the House in South Carolina.  House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn from South Carolina said that the Democrats could face a “bloodbath” if pre-election polling results are accurate.  However, he also states that this could change if more Democratic voters show at the polls than predicted.  

Election morning came with problems for some voting places.  On top of the high turnout, some polling places reported broken machines, slowing the process. In Precinct #5 (York County, Rock Hill, SC), 3 of 5 machines were reported broken.  A technician was unable to fix them, and the already long lines persisted. 

At some polling places, Tea Party activists are allegedly harassing black voters, according to the South Carolina Democratic Party.  Reports of harassment have specifically occurred at a polling location near the historically black Benedict College.  Republican activists are apparently telling students not to vote and generally attempting to intimidate them. 

Reach reporter Jennifer Schultz here.

Follow reporter Jennifer Schultz on Twitter: @Neon_Jenn

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