Politics & Government

Polls Run Late, Final Numbers Still In Question

After a day of four-hour waits at Richland County polls, the vote counting ran into the early morning.

As of 2:30 a.m. only 104 of the 124 Richland County polling precincts were reported at the Voter Registration Office. 

At that time, the penny sales tax was neck and neck at 50.49 percent "yes" and 49.51 percent "no."

Incumbent John Courson had a strong lead over Robert Rikard, 62 percent to 38 percent for Senate seat 20.

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Incumbent Joyce Dickerson also had a strong lead over political newcomer Michael Koska. 

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For Richland One, Vince Ford and Barbara Scott lead the other candidates by more than 3,000 votes.

Jamie Devine had an 80 percent lead over Racquel Dobbs for Richland One Seat Two. 

These numbers are as of 2:30 a.m. Faulty booths caused polling places to be overloaded with voters. The last reported vote in Richland County was cast near midnight at Ridge View High School. 

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