Horry County election officials address curbside voting confusion
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Early voting is underway across South Carolina, with record-breaking crowds turning out at election offices throughout the state.
In Horry County alone, 37,055 residents have already cast their ballots as of Thursday afternoon. However, some voters have raised questions about the curbside voting process.
According to Horry County Elections Director Sandy Martin, curbside voting has always posed challenges, and this year it has become the primary issue. Curbside voting is available for those unable to stand in line due to age or disability. However, it doesn’t mean voters can skip the line — they still need to wait their turn like everyone else.
“Voters think they can just drive up to the precinct, honk the horn, and someone will come out so they can vote in five to 10 minutes,” she said. “That’s not how the process works.”
For those who need to vote curbside, the process involves first notifying a poll worker, who will either mark your place in line or allow the person assisting you to hold your spot. When it’s your turn, a poll worker will bring a portable voting machine to your vehicle, and afterward, they’ll assist in scanning your ballot inside.
Martin says that while curbside voting isn’t new, this is the first time voters can cast early in-person ballots for a presidential election.
“This is not the election that you’re going to walk up, walk in and walk right back out,” she said. “You know, you’re gonna have to wait a little while.”
She wants to remind voters the importance of patience during this high-turnout election, noting that even though they want to assist everyone quickly, the reality is that voters may have to wait.
“We absolutely wish that we could put everybody that’s handicapped to the front of the line, but we’ve tried that in the past, but after people have stood in line for two hours, they’re not very receptive to letting anybody ahead, so we have to follow the rules,” Martin said.
Peter Smith, who was helping a curbside voter at the Grand Strand Rec Center, shared his experience waiting nearly three hours.
“It’s been pretty hot. We have an elderly gentleman here who’s had to use the facilities, and he’s not able to walk, so we’ve had to make do with what we have here.” Smith said. “It’s kind of bare essentials out here, and the line is long.”
Although some voters are frustrated with the limited number of early voting locations, Martin said state law restricts counties to only seven early voting sites, compared to the 124 precincts available on Election Day.
“The workers are doing all they can. I know that at some locations, they’ve already voted hundreds of people curbside,” she said. “I know at South Strand, they were doing 20 at a time. Voters are just going to have to be patient.”
It’s important to note that being 65 or older does not automatically qualify someone for curbside voting. Voters must be unable to stand in line for long periods due to a medical condition or disability.
“If you drive up for curbside just because you’re 65 and can stand in line, you’re cutting out someone who can’t,” Martin said.
Martin also encouraged voters to plan ahead for future elections.
“We have absentee voting to address these issues, if you absolutely know that you’re not going to be able to stand in line, why not vote in the comfort of your own home?” Martin said. “You can start requesting absentee ballots in January.”
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Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here.
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