Poll Managers Call Voter Turnout ‘Steady’

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Lexington County residents braved the rain Tuesday to cast their vote for an election that hasn’t happened in decades. “This is a big election day for Lexington County and because it’s so important for a lot of people I think based on what I’ve seen at the polling places, people are going to be voting today,” said voter Vernice Gandy. The four candidates running for Lexington County Sheriff on Tuesday’s ballot are Jay Koon, Assistant Town of Lexington Police Chief; Dennis Tyndall, West Columbia Chief of Police; Justin Britt, Richland County Deputy; and Ed Felix, Criminal Justice Instructor. The elected candidate will replace former Sheriff, James Metts, who is awaiting sentencing after he plead guilty last year to federal bribery charges. Some voters said the incident is motivation to get out and vote. “I think people are going to be more aware of what’s going on in the Sheriff’s Department, as well as other agencies in town, to make sure moneys being handled correctly, that authority is being dished out correctly, and that the right people are in charge of the right things,” said Gandy. “I think we need to pay attention more and the only way we can have change is if we vote,” said Janette Catalano. By Tuesday afternoon, poll managers described the voter turnout as steady, but light. “So far thing has gone really well,” said Poll Manager Sandra Hughes. “We’ve had well over 100 voters that have been in today, so that’s very good compared to what we thought it was going to be.” If none of the candidates receive more than 50-percent of the vote Tuesday night, a runoff election will be held March 17th.