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You Decide 2008

SC Voter Registration Deadline Approaching

Officials Share Election Dos, Don'ts

POSTED: 11:38 pm EDT September 30, 2008
UPDATED: 9:54 am EDT October 1, 2008

Greenville County residents lined up to register to vote Tuesday afternoon.

"If we're going to have a say as to what's going on you should vote," Lisa Arnold said as she stood in line. "It's very important right now, the way the economy is."

Arnold used to work for the state, but doesn't anymore.

"I lost my job because of budget cuts, so I understand," she said.

Arnold is like many Americans who are concerned about jobs, high or no gas at the pumps, education and the war.

"I want my kids to grow up in a world that's worth living in and safe," David Miller said as he walked out of the Voter's Registration Office in Greenville County.

The deadline to register in South Carolina is October 4.

"It affects everybody, no matter big or small. Who you are it's going to affect you in the future," he said.

Employees were busy trying to get registration cards mailed.

"They may use either the voter registration card or a South Carolina driver's license or the picture ID issued by the highway department," Conway Belangia, the Director of Elections in Greenville County.

Belangia said voters should be prepared before they go to the polls.

"You can't wear T-shirts, buttons or hats, or take pens with campaign material on it," Belangia said.

It's state law, and you can't campaign within 200 feet of an entrance to a polling place, Belangia said.

Belangia has one more thing voters should know.

"You only have three minutes in the booth to cast your ballot," he said.

Belangia advises voters to know the issues on the ballot and -- no matter who you're voting for -- just vote.

"If you don't vote, you really don't have say," Belangia said.

Officials said there has already been a 10 to 12 percent increase of registered voters in Greenville County compared to the last presidential election.

If you don't get your voter's registration card in the mail before election day, Nov. 4, you can use your driver's license or a state I.D.

Absentee voting starts Monday for those who won't be in the area on election day.

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