Mid-term elections were held on November 4^th. South Carolinians voted for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Governor. Republican Nikki Haley remains the governor after defeating Democrat Vincent Sheheen by 178,793 votes. The South Carolina Senators, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, will stay in office for another six years. Due to the change in votes of multiple states, the Republicans now control the Senate. Furthermore, Mark Sanford remains in the House of Representatives for District 1. After this election, the Republicans still control the House of Representatives, giving the Democrats control of the Executive Branch and Republicans control of Congress. Only time will tell the results of this contrast.

“I think it’s extremely important. It gives you a say.”

Several Magnet students had the opportunity to vote in this election. Senior Alex Soltys voted in a church off Highway 17 at about 10 o’clock. “It was really sort of intimidating because no one was talking,” she remembered. With a laugh, she recounted, “It was all old people.” The employee there checked her papers, license, and voter registration. Next, she voted on a touch screen at a table. The process took about 15 to 20 minutes. On voting, Alex expressed, “I think it’s extremely important. It gives you a say.” She added, “If you don’t vote, you know for certain that it’s not going to go your way.” In addition, she considered getting an absentee ballot the next time she voted.

“Often times, smaller elections come down to just a few votes.”

Senior Melissa Knapp was excited to vote for the second time this past election. At her polling place, there was no line besides her and her father. In two minutes, an employee had checked her driver’s license and forms and Melissa had voted. “It feels good to participate,” she reflected. “Often times, smaller elections come down to just a few votes.”