Horry County election officials release information

CONWAY – When it comes time for voters to cast ballots, Horry County election officials say there are several important things to remember.

“Voters can have assistance in marking a ballot only if the voter is blind, illiterate or physically handicapped. A voter entitled to receive assistance may choose anyone to assist except his employer, agent of his employer, or an officer or agent of his union,“ Lisa Bourcier, Horry County director of public, wrote in a press release.

“Curbside voting is available to any voter, who because of physical handicap or age (65 or older), cannot enter the polling place in which he is registered to vote, or is unable to stand in line to vote. They may vote outside that polling place in the closest available parking area utilizing the vehicle in which he has driven or has been driven to the polls.“ Bourcier wrote.

No campaign literature or items are allowed within 200 feet of any entrance used by voters to enter the polling place; this will include people wearing t-shirts, buttons, hats, stickers in support of any candidate or issue. A candidate may greet voters within 200 feet of a polling place as long as the voters are not intimidated, according to the release.

To cast a ballot, voters will be required to present one of three forms of identification – a voter registration certificate, a valid SC driver’s license or a SC DMV issued photo I.D. card, according to the release.

“If your registration card is ever lost or stolen, you may obtain a duplicate, even on Election Day, from your county voter registration office,“ Bourcier wrote.

All absentee ballots must be turned into the Horry County Registration and Elections Office by 7 p.m. the day of the election.  Absentee voters may vote in person at the Horry County Registration and Elections Office at 103 Elm Street in the Horry County Technology Center up until 5 p.m. Nov. 3.  Any registered voter who, for any of the following reasons, is eligible to vote an absentee ballot:

• Students, their spouses and dependents residing with them
• Members of the Armed Forces, Merchant Marines, Red Cross, USO, government employees, their spouses and dependents residing with them
• For reasons of employment will not be able to vote on election day
• Physically disabled persons
• Persons on vacation
• Persons age 65 or older
• Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on day of election or at least four days prior to the election
• Electors with a death or funeral in the family within 3 days before the election
•   Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial
• Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons
• Certified poll watchers and poll managers

“Voters can request an absentee ballot in person by visiting the Horry County Registration and Elections Office at 103 Elm Street in the Horry County Technology Center or by phone by calling the Horry County Registration and Elections Office at 915-5440. All Absentee applications must be received in the office the Tuesday prior to the election so that there will be time to mail the ballots,“ Bourcier wrote.

“A registered voter, a member of a voter’s immediate family or an authorized representative can request an absentee ballot application. An authorized representative is a registered voter who, with a voter’s permission, can request an absentee ballot application on behalf of a voter who qualifies because of illness or handicap. Candidates and paid campaign workers may not serve as an authorized representative,“ Bourcier wrote.

Horry County voters can visit the county’s website at http://www.horrycounty.org to preview the candidates and ballot questions prior to election day so the voting process will move expeditiously.