Candidate: New Richland County elections needed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Republican who lost his bid to unseat a Richland County councilman is calling for a new election, saying county officials intentionally used too few voting machines on Election Day.

Michael Letts said Monday it seems county election officials intentionally did not deploy enough voting machines in some parts of the county. Letts says so many people abandoned hours-long lines that new balloting should be held.

Letts lost to County Councilman Jim Manning 37 percent to 63 percent.

Issues related to this year’s elections are pending in court. The state Supreme Court is considering Republicans’ request to overrule a circuit judge’s decision to recount votes in a disputed Columbia House race.

State legislators from the Columbia area are also questioning county election officials about the Election Day problems.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP