Strong Mayor Vote Rejected by Voters
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(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., —
It was a close race, but ultimately not enough votes from residents of Columbia in order to change the current form of Government.
Mayor Steve Benjamin Conceded with about 99 percent of the the precincts reporting saying he was disappointed in the outcome and the lack of voter turnout.
” We have to realize the voters of Columbia have spoken, we have to accept that and move forward.”
Mayor Steve Benjamin says he did not expect large crowds since voters had already been to the polls less than a month ago for a general election. The Mayor says he believes had the strong mayor referendum been voted on then the outcome would have been different.
Election Commission Director, Howard Jackson says they too didn’t anticipate large crowds at the polls using the 7 hundred absentee ballots sent out to more than 70 thousand registered voters as an early indicator.
Jackson says there were no major issues inside poll locations, although there were a few reports of harassment outside where he says voters claimed groups were trying to sway their vote.
