Voters in portions of Dillon, Florence, Marion and Marlboro will go to the polls today to decide once and for all who will represent Senate District 30 for the next four years.

Incumbent Maggie Glover, who placed first in the Sept. 28 three-way primary, faces second-place winner, Kent Williams of Marion, in today’s runoff election, which will decide the race. Because there are only two candidates in today’s runoff, another runoff between the two is not an option. There is no Republican candidate in the District 30 race, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, the winner of today’s runoff will be the district’s next senator.

Glover finished first Sept. 28 with 6,193 votes, followed by Williams with 5,993 votes. The third candidate, Tim Norwood, finished last with 5,152 votes and was eliminated from the race.

With Williams only trailing by 200 votes, if all those who voted in the Sept. 28 primary return to the polls today, Norwood’s votes would decide the race. But, that’s if his supporters return to the polls. Norwood has not publicly endorsed either of his former opponents.

Senate District 30 encompasses most of Marion County and portions of Dillon, Florence and Marlboro counties. In Dillon County, District 30 includes Latta, Little Rock, Minturn, New Holly, Oak Grove and parts of south and west Dillon. The Marlboro County communities of Blenheim, Brownsville, Clio, Red Hill, Tatum and portions of Bennettsville are in District 30.

In Florence County, District 30 includes portions of Florence, Quinby, Spaulding community, Brookgreen, Claussen, Gilbert, Mars Bluff, Mill Branch and portions of Pamplico.

According to election officials, voters must have been registered to vote by May 8 to be eligible to vote in today’s Senate District 30 runoff.

In addition, those who voted in the Republican Primary in June will not be eligible to vote in today’s Senate District 30 primary election.

All other registered voters in District 30, including those who voted in the June 8 or Sept. 28 Democratic primary and those who did not vote in any previous primary at all, are eligible to vote today.

All polls in District 30 will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m today. Voters must present a voter registration card, a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card to vote.

Although Florence County voters will be using the county’s new electronic system for the Nov. 2 general election, the old punchcard system will be used for today’s runoff.

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