Election Day Polls open 7am -7pm

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Who will effectively and efficiently lead your town or city, the choice is yours. “These are the men and women that you’re entrusting to move your city forward,” says Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. But officials with the South Carolina election commission say the number of people voting sags during municipal elections. According to Chris Whitmire with the Election Commission, “Generally in a municipal election turn out, it’s usually more around the 10% or less mark, which is really low.” Mayor Benjamin is hoping for a strong turn out as voters decide who will fill the two highly contested city council seats for district two and the city at large. “It’s so important that we have a significant number of people helping decide the city both city wide and district two,” explains Benjamin. Officials say mayoral elections with hot button issues typically draw larger crowds. This is expected to be the case in Irmo and West Columbia as controversial incumbent Mayors Hardy Kind and Joe Owens seek re-election. Whitmire tells, “The content of the ballot drives turnout and if it interests voters for whatever reason they’ll turn out.” According to officials, voters heading to the polls need know their assigned voting location and bring one of five forms of photo identification. Acceptable forms of identification include: – Driver’s License – DMV I.D. Card – Photo Voter Registration Card – Federal Military I.D. – U.S. Passport Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.