Get out and vote
Last Updated on 10/11/2008
Published on 6/8/2008
History tells us that those who are relatively happy with the way things are going don't often feel the need to vote, while those who are most unhappy or concerned go out of their way to make it to the polls.
Of course, history also tells us not to expect more than a third of voters to turn out for Tuesday's primary elections. It might be hot. It could rain. Many could decide to wait until November for the "real" election.
November's presidential election is expected to bring voters to the polls in record numbers across the nation. Sixty percent of Georgetown County voters turned out in the last presidential election.
That's good news for the fall, but for many local races, the primary on Tuesday will decide the outcome.
Sheriff Lane Cribb has had his closest calls in primaries. He didn't want to face another county-wide Democratic primary, so he switched parties only to find a challenger in Jamestown Police Chief Jay High.
Oddly, after all those spirited sheriff's primaries, there is no Democratic candidate for the general election. Tuesday's Republican winner will be sheriff for more four years.
Congressman Henry Brown finds himself with two energetic challengers in the First District Republican primary. Paul Norris of Johns Island is running on an platform to revise America's energy policy. Katherine Jenerette, a former field representative for Rep. Brown, is a veteran of the Gulf War and a U.S. Army Reserve officer. She wants to mix it up with Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress and promises a partisan, conservative approach to governing.
To his challengers' dismay, Rep. Brown has not been able to find the time for a debate. Hopefully, that won't be the case for the general election when the GOP winner will likely face Democrat Linda Ketner of Charleston.
In the District 32 S.C. Senate race Yancey McGill faces two challengers, Ted Brown and Larry Alston. In a sprawling four-county district, McGill has an advantage because he continually seeks ways to strengthen his relationships with both elected officials and voters and is seeking his 11th term in office.
Georgetown County Council offers voters an interesting field of candidates that could produce some surprises.
District 3 incumbent Thomas Earl Drayton is being challenged by Leona "Tiger" Miller. Both candidates in County Council's District 4 can claim to be incumbents. Helen Rudolph holds the seat now. Challenger Lillie Jean Johnson decided not to run in 2000 because of family matters that have now been resolved. A newcomer with join County Council from District 5, replacing Sel Hemingway, new county administrator. Austin Beard of Andrews faces Willie A. "Bill" Moore of Folly Grove in the Republican primary. Democrat Murray Vernon of the Carvers Bay community, has no primary opposition. Voters will also select a candidate to fill out the remainder of Hemingway's term from the three candidates in a special election, giving one a leg up on the November race.
Experience tells us that it takes a well-organized, motivated and informed people who are willing to take voters by the hand and lead them to the voting booths. We despair that voters are so cavalier about this public trust: Hand-holding seems so infantile.
On the other hand, those who care deeply about our right to vote should take note and get all hands on deck, even if it means hand-holding.
