Summerville Polls Closed! Live Updates and Election Results

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7:05 p.m.: "We're going to make sure everybody gets their vote counted/we will wait as long as it takes," said Joshua Dickard, county election director. 

5:10 p.m.: Opponents Bill Hearn and Miriam Birdsong. Bill laughs, "I appreciate your honesty, even wishing me not to win."

4:30 p.m.: DuBose Middle School at 2,379 or 52.4% turnout. Line is about 30 minutes right now.

2:35 p.m.: Oakbrook Middle still had long lines Tuesday afternoon. Patch bumped into school board candidates Barbara Crosby and Justin Farnsworth. A voter told one of the candidates, "You'd get a lot more votes if you were selling hot chocolate and coffee."

1:55 p.m.: Two machines down at Beech Hill, but the issue now resolved. They had to reboot laptops at Oakbrook Middle too.

"Some locations are better than 2008, but some of our other locations, like Beech Hill and Oakbrook Middle School, are heavier," said Joshua Dickard, county election director. 

9:20 a.m.: More than 1,200 have voted at Summerville High School, including absentee ballots. That's 20 percent of the registered voters.

In line for about 90 minutes, one longtime Summerville High School voter said the line was no worse than 2008. "It wasn't bad," she said. "They did a good job." 

9 a.m.: We spoke to a few voters at Charleston Bakery. Pumla voted for the first time today as US citizen. Another first time voter told us, "I wanted to vote because it would be important for next four years." 

"We're getting a bigger crowd today," said bakery co-owner Kerry Bitz. "It's the weather and your kids are out of school — go out and vote and then go out for breakfast."

8 a.m.: Long lines, but only an hour wait at Beech Hill Elementary School. Reader Chuck Easton tells us it's an over 90 minute wait at DuBose Middle School. "Nice turnout for early morning voting," he said.

7:20 a.m. There were more than 200 at Beech Hill Elementary School before voting began this morning. "This is awesome," one poll worker said. "This is what America is all about."

One person jokingly said voters were "like sardines" in the line. A poll worker recommendation: Don't arrive at 6 p.m.

Julie Smith tweeted that the early-morning line at Bethany United Methodist Church was into the parking lot. "Glad I brought gloves," she said.

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When you’re done voting, leave it right here throughout the day as Patch will provide minute-by-minute updates for the races that matter to you.

Election Guide

Today is Election Day. Summerville voters face a slew of choices. Here’s a look at what to expect:

Note sure where to vote or who is on the ballot? Click HERE.

Track State and Federal races HERE.

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Local Elections

School Referendum

The referendum for a $179 million school bond has become hotly contested with two opposing campaigns, Yes4Schools and Dorchester CARE. Yes4Schools supports the referendum, while Dorchester CARE opposes the referendum. Click here to watch this issue debated by representatives.

State Senate

Senate 38

Sean Bennett upset incumbent Sen. Mike Rose to win the Republican nomination for S.C. Senate District 38. He will go into the general unopposed.

Senate 41

S.C. Senate District 41, which has three precincts in Dorchester County, has been in turmoil most of the election season. To read the latest, click here. 

State House

House 97

Ed Carter narrowly beat his fellow Republican Jordan Bryngelson to be the Republican nominee for S.C. House District 97. He will challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Patsy Knight in the fall. Click here to see donor lists.

House 114

S.C. House Majority Leader Rep. Bobby Harrell is opposed by Green party candidate Larry Carter Center and GOP petition candidate John Steinberger for District 114. Click here to see donor lists.

Dorchester County Sheriff

Incumbent Sheriff L.C. Knight soundly defeated his Republican challenger Mike Turner in June. He will go into the general unopposed.

Dorchester County Council

Both Dorchester County incumbents up for reelection won the party's nomination in June. District 4 Councilman Larry Hargett will go into the general unopposed. District 6 Councilman Bill Hearn will be opposed by petition candidate Miriam Birdsong, who was kicked off the Democratic ballot for filing incorrectly. Click here to see donor lists for District 6's race.

Dorchester County GOP Chair Carroll Duncan is also running for county council. Councilman Richard Rosebrock will retire from District 5, and Duncan goes into the general unopposed. 

Petition candidates for school board have also filed. Click here to learn who's on the ballot as a petition candidate.

Dorchester County School Board

Seven candidates are vying for three spots on the school board — two are incumbents. Click here to watch the candidates debate in October.

Also up for reelection this year, but running opposed are:

• Jenny Horne, S.C. House District 97
• Chris Nisbet, coroner
• Margaret Bailey, registrar of deeds
• Mary Blunt, probate judge
• Bill Long, water and sewer
• David Pascoe, solicitor 
• J.J. Messervy, auditor

Click here to read more information about these races.