It takes people to elect people. 🇺🇸
Everywhere in the U.S., today is the official Election Day for the 2018 Midterm Elections.
During the midterms, offices other than that of the president are up for election– including positions in the U.S. Congress, the state legislature, and the state supreme court, as well as seats in local, state, + national government.
In Charleston County, the polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., with 183 voting precincts. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
For all S.C. voters– to find your voting precinct: enter your county, first + last name, and date of birth here. To find the candidates within your county, click here.
Brush up on your midterm trivia:
- Midterm elections are held every four years and take place between presidential elections.
- The first midterm election was held as early as the Civil War.
- Historically, the party of the president tends to do a little worse in the midterm. This is known as “presidential penalty.”
- Voter turnout tends to drop in the midterm election. In the 2016 presidential election, 172,025 people in Charleston County voted, whereas only 99,716 individuals voted in the 2014 midterm election– about 26% of the county’s population at that time. There are lots of theories– including that the midterms seem less exciting than presidential elections– but turnout makes a difference. Many elections have been decided by just hundreds of votes.
- All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives + 33 seats in the U.S. Senate (about ⅓ of the total seats) are up for election. 6,665 state positions are up for election, and 36 states will elect a governor (including ours).
- In S.C., we’re voting on whether Henry McMaster (R) will serve another term as Governor, or whether James Smith (D), will take the position.
Once you’ve checked out your ballot, read our guide to the 2018 Midterm Election in Charleston County– then head to the polls armed with the knowledge of who you’re going to vote for (and of course, your photo I.D.). Plus, learn more about the constitutional amendment you’ll be weighing in on.
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What’s your reason for voting? Tell us why you’re heading to the polls today over on Facebook, Instagram, or via email.
Want to win one of four $25 gift cards just for doing your civic duty? To enter, take a pic of yourself with your “I Voted” sticker and share it on social media using the tag #CHSvotes. Winners will be announced later this week.
Cheers to exercising your civic duty,