Live Updates: Today is election day and here’s what’s happening in the Hilton Head area

Will Tuesday's weather be a factor in outcomes in Beaufort County or South Carolina elections results?

Tuesdays' weather forecast from the National Weather Service in Charleston shows a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly between 8am and 1pm with a high near 78. With the polls open from 7a.m. to 7p.m., will the possibility of rain in the middle five-hour stretch on election day have an affect on voter turnout?

Generations of news reporters and academics have studied this question for decades and many news organizations have woven the subject of inclement weather into a standard buffet item on the election news menu.

There are a few caveats in this debate and two of them probably disqualify South Carolina and Beaufort County from having outcomes influenced by the weather.

Reason one: If weather is a factor, several pieces of research shows it is primarily a factor (if at all) in swing states. Polling shows that the Palmetto State may be many things, but a presidential swing state it's not.

Reason two: Much of the study of the impact weather has had on election results happened before the wide deployment of early voting. With two weeks to get to the polling places before the traditional election day, many voters have the luxury of not only waiting for good weather but also knowing when the lines will be shortest. In Beaufort County, the early voting program resulted in nearly 60,000 ballots being cast representing not only the largest number ever but also a substantial amount of the eligible electorate.

Finally, the question of what localized weather timing has on down ballot municipal elections issues including selection of the next Mayor of Beaufort, the penny sales tax and some council races.

Predicting the weather's impact on local races is just about as easy as predicting the weather in the Lowcountry.

- Senior Editor Robert York, Nov 5 at 7a.m.

Where to get a sample ballot and what to bring with you on election day?

Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m Tuesday. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

If you'd like to see the ballot you'll use to vote on Election Day, the South Carolina Elections Commission has you covered.

In fact, the agency recommends you get a sample and prepare to vote. Education means less time in the voting booth.

You can check a sample ballot at your MyscVOTES.

It's as simple as entering your name, date of birth and last four digits of your social security card. Oh, and clicking the box to ensure you're not a robot.

You may also reach out to your County Voter Registration Office for help with a sample ballot scvotes.gov/contact/county-voter-registration-election-offices .

The Elections Commission also recommends making sure you have a photo ID (SC Driver's License, SC DMV ID Card, SC Voter Registration Card with Photo, Federal Military ID, or US Passport).

You can get a photo ID at DMV or your county election office and if you can't do that the commission says, "You may vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit stating you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a Photo ID."

Reporter Lyn Riddle, Final published Nov. 1 at 10a.m.

Nearly 60,000 Beaufort County Voters took advantage of the new early voting process

Early voting is occurring at a record-setting pace across the county for late October and early November thanks to a new way the Board of Voter Registration and Elections is offering ballots that's been a big hit with residents.

Early voting is offered over a two-week "no excuse" period — as opposed to voting on just the traditional election day. The process differs from the absentee voting. That process allows residents to receive a ballot in the days preceding the election, but they must provide acceptable excuses such as an illness or age.

The pace of "no excuse" early voting has Marie Smalls, who heads the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, excited about this year's voter turnout.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, 56,855 people, or 40% of the county's 141,221 registered voters, had voted already in the election, Smalls said, which is the highest percentage of early voting in the county since at least 2008.

"We have record number turnout," Smalls told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. "That's a change from what happened before in the other previous elections."

Early voting was introduced in the mid-term election in 2022 and accounted for 20% of the turnout, according to the county. But this election is the first time early voting is being tested on a large scale during a presidential election — and a nail-biter to boot with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump virtually tied in national polls in the dwindling days of the campaign. A bevy of federal, state and local races and a $950 million transportation referendum are ramping up interest as well.

While early voting is just two-years old, Smalls says the presidential race of 2020 provides somewhat of a comparison to this year's early voting pace. In 2020, in-person absentee voting was higher than usual because restrictions on who could vote absentee were dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic. That year, in person absentee voting was 33,591 compared to the 56,855 people who had early voted as of 1 p.m. Friday.

- Reporter Karl Pucket, Posted Friday, Nov. 1: 1p.m.

Resist the urge to take a photo of your ballot - it could get expensive

If you're tempted to take a photo of your ballot in a voting booth in South Carolina, don't. It's illegal and could land you in jail, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

SLED is cautioning voters against taking a "ballot selfie," or a photo of their ballot, as doing so is against the law in South Carolina, punishable by a fine or up to a year in jail, according to a news release.

Under South Carolina law, voters are prohibited from taking photos of their ballot and sharing that photo or allowing their ballot to be seen in any way, the release said.

"South Carolina voters are not allowed to use a camera inside the voting booth," the release said.

- Reporter Javon L. Harris, Posted Friday Nov.1 at noon

Candidate and issue Q&A's

Herbkersman faces Owens in District 118 election: Experience vs. change on key local issues

Hilton Head and Daufuskie island state house candidates address ferry concerns, share stances ahead of election day

Newton and Creech face off in South Carolina's District 120 election.

Ward 3 Hilton Head candidates stand on opposite sides of penny sales tax

Hilton Head council races at a glance

State House District 124: Incumbent Shannon Erickson of Beaufort is facing a challenge from Melinda Erickson of Port Royal.

Tom Davis and Gwyneth Saunders are the candidates in state Senate District 46 which includes most of southern Beaufort County.

The Nov. 5 ballot will ask Beaufort County residents to decide a 1% sales tax to fund transportation improvements

Q&A: Here's how Beaufort mayoral candidates would address growth and Waterfront Park

Four candidates fighting for two jobs on the Beaufort City Council. Here's where they stand

Michael Rivers and Shelley Gay Yuhas are running in House District 121

Editorial Board's endorsement of South Carolina races