COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) — Voter turnout is surging across South Carolina as the primary approaches, with more than 100,000 voters already casting their ballots early.

Election officials say participation is on track to be especially strong this year, with more voters expected before the week is over.

South Carolinians have already cast nearly 30% of the total number of primary ballots that were cast in 2024, and early voting isn’t over yet.

The South Carolina State Election Commission says voters cast more than 151,000 ballots last week. In the first week of 2024 early voting, voters cast 120,000 ballots.

Across the entire 2024 primary season, including runoffs, voters cast 527,000 ballots total. Nearly 3.4 million South Carolinians are registered to vote.

Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of this week. There is no early voting on Monday, June 8, and primary day is Tuesday, June 9. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Elections Director Conway Belangia said the numbers should only continue to grow.

“We always feel that as we get closer to that last day of voting early that our numbers will increase,” Belangia said. “If that happens then again we’re looking at just phenomenal numbers.”

Richland, Charleston and Greenville counties are leading the state in voter turnout.

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — The average price of gas in South Carolina has dropped a significant 18.9 cents per gallon in the past week, setting a new average for Monday and following a similarly dropping national trend.

According to GasBuddy the new average cost of a gallon of gas has been recorded at $3.85 per gallon as of Monday. This price point was determined through a survey of 3,028 stations across South Carolina.

“Average gasoline prices declined in all 50 states over the last week, with GasBuddy now tracking 15 states where the average price of gasoline has fallen below $4 per gallon, offering motorists some of the most widespread relief seen in weeks,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Much of the decline was driven by falling oil prices and the unwinding of recent price cycles, as growing optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran agreement helped ease concerns over global oil supplies.”

Though this price is reportedly 11.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, it is still a full $1.12 per gallon higher than a year ago.

READ MORE | Trump ‘laser-focused’ on making deal with Iran, but ready to take military action: Hegseth

The cheapest station in the state was priced at $3.40 per gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $4.89 per gallon, a whopping difference of $1.49 per gallon. With a near $2 difference, it may be worthwhile for motorists to do a bit of hunting around for the cheapest gas in the area.

Meanwhile the national average price of gas fell a similar but slightly higher 19.5 cents per gallon in the past week, now averaging $4.26 per gallon as of Monday. This average is down 17.8 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands $1.18/g higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

GasBuddy reports however that the coast is anything but clear, and motorists should not get comfortable just yet with these lower prices.

“Oil prices edged higher Sunday evening as uncertainty surrounding a potential deal persisted and renewed Israeli attacks added another layer of geopolitical risk. While motorists may continue to see some short-term relief, some price-cycling states could soon experience another upward swing as retailers run out of room to lower prices further. Overall, any setback in negotiations could quickly reverse the recent decline in fuel prices,” said De Haan.

EASTOVER, S.C. (WIS) — Hundreds gathered at the McCrady Training Center Sunday afternoon to send off approximately 400 members of the South Carolina National Guard.

The 122nd Engineer Battalion held its departure ceremony for service members and their families before deploying to Washington, D.C.

The National Guard members will be in the nation’s capital for the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” which is a collaboration between the Guard and law enforcement following a federal push cracking down on crime in several communities across America.

Emotional sendoff

The ceremony highlighted the emotional bridge between South Carolina and the mission ahead. Kids clung to their parents’ uniforms while spouses shared quiet words.

“It’s very emotional, but I’m very proud that he is going and helping keep the peace and serving our country,” said one U.S. Army National Guard member’s wife.

Robert Graham, a member of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the separation will be difficult.

“It’s very emotional. We spend a lot of time together, and that is going to be the hardest part about this mission,” Graham said.

Jay Sirmon, commander of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the turnout demonstrated the dedication of the service members.

“I think this is a testament to their dedication, and when the nation calls and when the state calls, they leave their civilian jobs, they leave their schools, and they go wherever they are called to serve,” Sirmon said.

The number one goal is to keep citizens, tourists, and everyone coming to D.C. safe, according to Sirmon.

“We will be assisting the metro police department and other federal agencies to make sure that everybody in the D.C. area is safe this summer,” Sirmon said.

For some families, while this is not their first deployment, they say this mission feels different as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Cody Puckett, operations NCO of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, said the deployment stands out.

“It’s very different, especially considering being in the capital, knowing that you have so many people in one spot, all the special events that are coming up, and just having that many soldiers on the ground,” Puckett said.

Community support

Sirmon said the community involvement never fails to surprise him.

“The community involvement, especially with the National Guard, is tremendous, and it never fails to surprise me when we have events like this, you’re able to see how many people showed up in support, and that means a lot,” Sirmon said. “When these soldiers go away from home, whether that’s overseas to a combat zone, or in the United States to a mission such as this, they remember this event, and they remember the support that we have.”

One wife said the ceremony was not a goodbye, just a see you later.

“I’m so proud of him and everything that he does and everything for the military as well as for our family. I’m going to get emotional, but yeah. I’m glad he’s getting to go on this experience and get to help out and do everything he needs to do, but he’s definitely going to be missed, and I’ll be glad when he’s back home,” she said.

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