BLYTHEWOOD – An election-eve change in polling places for some voters in Blythewood’s general election left a number of voters and three candidates wondering if all voters in the affected precincts would be notified of the change before going to the polls.
The change affected both Blythewood’s precinct 3 and the LongCreek precinct.
Richland County Election Commission Director Travis Alexander told The Voice that he sent post cards to the affected voters on Thursday. Late Monday, he provided The Voice a copy of the information on the card, which stated that the polling place for the Blythewood General Election had been changed to the Blythewood Fire Station, located at 435 Main Street in Blythewood.
Candidates Trish Hovis and Marcus Taylor, and incumbent Rich McKenrick who live in precinct 3, told The Voice they and other voters in the precinct didn’t know about the change in polling places until late Monday, less than 24 hours before the polls opened at 7 a.m., Tuesday morning.
Some voters in the precinct told The Voice they had still not received a card by late Monday. Taylor said Tuesday evening that he had not received his card before going to the polls.
Adding to the confusion the card, stated – incorrectly – that the “designated polling location has been reassigned for The City of Columbia General Election,” not the Town of Blythewood General Election.
Alexander told The Voice that “should not cause any confusion, because the address of the new polling place – the Blythewood Fire Station – is correct on the card.” However, the card did not mention precinct 3 or LongCreek precinct.
Alexander said he did not have a map of the precincts affected nor a list of addresses to provide to The Voice for notifying the public of the change. The Voice obtained a copy of a map of precinct 3 from candidate Patricia Hovis. The map did not include the LongCreek precinct.
An election notice published twice in The Voice for the Town of Blythewood election designated the polling place for precinct 3 and LongCreek precinct as Blythewood High School.
Alexander said he first learned he would have to move the polling place after he was notified on Thursday that Blythewood High School could not be used for a polling place on Tuesday. He did not say if he was notified by officials at the high school or Richland School District Two.
“We had an issue with the school being closed [for voting] while students were coming in.” He did not say why the change was not publicized to voters earlier.
Richland County School District Two Superintendent Dr. Kim Moore emailed the following comment to The Voice Wednesday morning.
“We fully support the democratic process and appreciate our partnership with the Richland County Election Commission. Our decision regarding Blythewood High School was made with careful consideration for the safety of students and staff. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future to identify polling locations that meet the needs of both our schools and our community.”
Alexander said he went to town hall Thursday and notified town hall officials of the change in polling places. Neither the mayor, town hall officials, nor Alexander notified the media of the change. Council members said they were not made aware of the change until late Monday.
“Travis [Alexander] said he would notify the voters,” said Town Clerk Sharon Durst.
“Well, [the notification] went out Thursday, so I can’t, I won’t even say it might not get there till tomorrow [Tuesday], which is going to be sad, but…” Alexander said late Monday.
“I dealt with this today and got my post card change notification at 1800 when I got home and checked my mail before leaving to vote,” one affected voter in precinct 3 wrote posted on Facebook. “Unacceptable in 2025 and with an event that happens once a year. The explanation doesn’t jive.”
