PoliTick-Tock

Voter stream slow, no machine problems in NMB

By 8 a.m. this morning, about 15 voters had come through the door at the Crescent precinct poll in North Myrtle Beach. Poll worker Jean Boseman said she expected today's voter turnout to be a bit on the slow side.

Workers also reported that the electronic voting machines were running smoothly. Volunteer Bill Mullin said he makes sure to reiterate to folks that they have three chances to change their mind before they vote with the electronic ballot.

"The biggest problem is people's fear of touch screens," he said. "They only time you ever see one is if you're using a debit card."

He says walking through each step with the voters has been helpful.

"If you do that with everybody, we have less problems."

"They're getting more used to it," added poll worker Sandy Bruce. "It's such a long time in between when they use it. They don't remember from one time to the next."

Stump to honor Clyburn, Spratt

The historic Galivants Ferry Stump will be held May 12 in honor of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and U.S. Rep. John Spratt, organizers announced today.

The Galivants Ferry Stump Speaking, founded in 1876 by the Holliday family, brings politicians and residents together every two years.

The 2008 stump will be held at Pee Dee Farms, the century-old general store in Galivants Ferry, on U.S. 501 where it crosses the Little Pee Dee River.

Bluegrass music and clogging will begin at 4:30 p.m. and local, state and national Democratic candidates will begin speaking at 6 p.m., according to a release from the families of Joseph Holliday and John Monroe Holliday.

Filings for office

Filings with the Horry and Georgetown political parties began on Sunday and will continue through the end of March. Although most of the filings have been incumbents at this early stage, there have been a few challengers and surprises. We'll continue to post new filings on Politick-tock and on C2 of the print edition until the filing period closes. The following is a list of people who had filed as of 4:00 p.m.

Beach Dems to hear from state party director

Joe Werner, executive director of the S.C. Democratic Party, will speak Friday at the Beach Dems Breakfast.

The public is invited and no reservations are required.

WHAT | Beach Dems Breakfast, featuring S.C. Democratic Party executive director Joe Werner

WHEN | 8 a.m. Friday

WHERE | Akels Restaurant, 6429 N. Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936.

No machine problems in Surfside Beach

Voters trickling into the Lakewood Elementary School polling site in Surfside Beach found electronic voting machines up and working well at 7 a.m., much to the relief of poll workers.

''We're smiling,'' said poll worker Marion MacDonald. "I prayed hard. As long as I've done this, 14 years, we've never had problems with this."

Coffee percolated in one corner of the school's cafeteria, while snacks lined a table behind the voter sign-in station.

"We hope it goes better today," said poll worker Elaine Steiner.