SC voters see long lines, long waits amid heavy turnout

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina voters are turning out in heavy numbers to select their president, Congress and Legislature as reports of hours-long waits emerged in Richland County.

State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire says he's gotten reports of very heavy turnouts across the state.

Waits of several hours have been reported around Richland County and in Columbia. Whitmire says everyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Polls opened at 7 a.m.

Richland County spokeswoman Stephany Snowden says the county has gotten complaints about too few voting machines and long waits, but she says the number of machines is the same as in 2008.

Snowden says it appears to be a record turnout. She says the county has 124 precincts and about 1,000 machines.