The number of South Carolina voters who turned out for presidential primaries made history and nationwide news in January. June’s statewide voter turnout for the local primary had results that were—to put it nicely-- less than desirable.
At some polls, less than a quarter of registered democratic voters turned out for statewide primary elections. In some of the following run-off elections, only about four hundred of the state’s registered voters participated. Republican voter turn-out remained consistent statewide. For Democratic candidates however, there was not much good news.
Even major endorsements of extremely influential Democrats with long party histories failed to bring local voters out on election day. In fact, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and the Rev. Jesse Jackson had active roles in state elections. Candidates supported by Clyburn and Jackson were forced into a run-off election. IT wasn’t because the race was tight. They were instead forced into a run-off because of low voter turn-out. The candidate endorsed by Rev. Jackson fell just short of the five hundred votes necessary to clinch the nomination.
Though statewide general elections and presidential elections will be held on the same date this year, Democrats are beginning to re-strategize. Depending on supporters of Obama may in fact be less of an option than they had hoped. Democrats are now relying less on Obama’s impact and working harder to reach out to personally encourage the return of the record number democratic voters who participated in January’s presidential primary.
Republican pundits are taking note of local voter turnout and new voter registration. They have long argued that January’s record Democratic turnout is not a threat to the state’s traditionally conservative vote. The secret weapon that does cause South Carolina Republicans concern is Barack Obama. Ordinarily, John McCain could avoid heavily campaigning in a state already predictably red.
If the Democrats bring out the big guns by having Obama campaign in South Carolina, McCain and Republicans throughout the state will be forced to compete. Given Obama’s fifty state strategy, it looks like a possibility. However, it looks like the June primary could be an eye opener to Democrats hoping to have a fighting chance in November. It should force them to realize that they have to create their own support among voters.
As for McCain and Obama, the Senator from Illinois has already said he will campaign in states that do traditionally vote conservative. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. Democratic candidates in South Carolina can only hope that whatever Obama does is enough to spark the interest of voters who may not think they have a chance in a state that hasn’t nominated a Democrat since 1976.