COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
It only stands to reason if you take more than 200 candidates off the ballot, they and their supporters might sit it out when it comes to actually voting.
But there are other factors too and we have indications today that voter enthusiasm could be among many things dampened when the polls open Tuesday morning.
If the weather on Tuesday looks like it did on Monday in Columbia, voter turnout could go straight down the drain. There are already signs at the Richland County Election offices that voters aren't terribly interested in their choices.
Lillian McBride says there were over 2,000 absentee voters in the days before the 2008 primary election. Today, she only has 737.
"That tells me the interest is not there," McBride said.
The situation appears similar in neighboring Lexington County. Some voters say the battle over candidate filing procedures may be having an effect on enthusiasm for the primary.
Though even today at the height of a noon hour rain storm, we still saw a few voters with enough dedication to cast early ballots.
"It's important to vote as I look at the sacrifices that individuals had to make for me to have the right to vote and I knew I'd have to work tomorrow and I just wanted to go ahead and do my part," voter Dominique Grate said.
The forecast for Tuesday does not help however. Thunderstorm activity is possible throughout the day.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
