FLORENCE - The State Law Enforcement Division has officially received a request to investigate the state Senate District 30 primary, but the agency will not say whether it will do so.

The controversy over the District 30 seat, which encompasses parts of Florence, Dillon, Marion and Marlboro counties, began after a recount of the vote changed the second and third place finishers. Incumbent Sen. Maggie Glover finished the June 8 primary with 35 percent of the vote, assuring her a runoff spot June 22.

After certification of the election, it appeared that Tim Norwood secured a runoff position, beating Kent Williams by just six votes. But because there was less than 1 percent of the vote separating the two candidates, a mandatory recount was ordered and Williams ended up with six votes more than Norwood.

Norwood filed a protest with the S.C. Democratic Party Executive Committee, alleging voter illegalities, particularly in respect to absentee ballot counting. After hearing the protest, the committee members voted to void the June 8 primary and ask Gov. Mark Sanford to set a date for a new election. The committee also voted to send Norwood's evidence to SLED.

"We have received an inquiry, and we are seeking legal advice," said SLED spokesman Lt. Mike Brown.

Brown would not confirm whether the agency will investigate and would not elaborate on why SLED is seeking legal advice.

Party officials said they are confident that the agency will investigate.

"I feel like they'll take whatever action they need to take," said Michelle Macrina, interim executive director of the S.C. Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, others have also filed petitions regarding the election and requested investigations.

Williams filed a petition with the S.C. Supreme Court asking it to order a runoff between him and Glover.

Glover filed a similar petition and requested an investigation from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Florence County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also requested an investigation of the race from the Department of Justice.

During his protest hearing, Norwood presented evidence he said proved irregularities in absentee voting in the election. Specifically, his protest alleged that 57 absentee ballots were processed by Virginia Thompson, the wife of Leroy Thompson who is on Williams' campaign financial filing form as having received money "for services rendered."

A consultant who worked for Norwood testified at the hearing that he'd uncovered evidence that a number of people who voted are felons, or "clearly voted while on probation." It is against South Carolina election laws for felons on probation to vote.

Sanford has not set a date for a new election, saying he'll wait for a Supreme Court decision on Williams' petition.

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