(Editor’s Note: The mock ballot on page 9 was created to show the various candidates on the various ballots available during early voting and Election Day. The candidates on your ballot reflect the precinct that you reside in.)

Marlboro County voters will head to the polls on Nov. 8 to consider several candidates for various seats and questions that will appear on the ballot.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting is now through Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Marlboro County Courthouse.

Since early voting began on Oct. 24, 1,746 in the county have voted.

For more information, call the office at 843-479-5612.

Local races

Jackie Branch and Michael Coachman are running for the chairman seat for the Marlboro County Board of Education.

Incumbents and newcomers are on the ballot for five board of education seats.

Michael Toms is running unopposed for District 2.

Incumbent Charles Chuck Graham in District 3 will face challengers Robert Goff and Nikki Lynn Pruitt.

Dr. Rippin McLeod Jr. in District 5.

District 7 incumbent Danny Driggers will face challenger Deborah Peterkin.

The challengers in District 8 are Farrell Bethea, Rena Smith McLain, Leevander McRae Jr., and Artemus Woods Jr.

Soil and Water District Commission will have voters vote for two people, Joseph Hunsucker and Beverly O’Neal.

Candidates facing no opposition include Reneka McQueen McCoy, probate judge; Deborah Pringle, auditor; Jason K. Steen, County Council District 1; Pearly C. Lawson, District 4; Steve Blackmon, District 7; and Anthony Woods, District 8.

Statewide

Incumbent State House of Representative Patricia Moore Henegan (District 54) will face challenger Sterling McDiarmid while Incumbent Jackie E. Hayes (District 55) will face Republican Robert Norton and Independence Party candidate Michael Copland.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott will face Democratic Krystle Matthews.

Republican Russell Fry will vie for the U.S. House of Representatives District 7 against Democratic Daryl W. Scott.

Republican Governor Henry McMaster and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette will face Democrat Joe Cunningham and Lt. Governor candidate Tally Parham Casey and Libertarian Bruce Reeves and Lt. Governor candidate Jessica Ethridge.

Republican Secretary of State Mark Hammond is facing Democrat Rosemounda Peggy Butler.

Republican Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson are running unopposed.

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis, a Republican, is challenged by Alliance candidate Sarah E. Work.

Since Republican State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman declined to run for another term. The people vying for the position are Patricia M. Mickel, Ellen Weaver, Lisa Ellis

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers will face competition from United Citizens party candidate Chris Nelums and Green Party candidate David Edmond.

Amendments

Amendment 1—Must Section 36(A), Article III of the constitution of this State, relating to the General Reserve Fund, to be amended so as to provide that the General Reserve Fund of five percent of general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year must be increased each year by one-half of one percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year until it equals seven percent of such revenues? Explanation A ’Yes’ vote will increase the amount of money state government must keep in the General Reserve Fund (its “rainy day” fund) from 5% of the previous year’s revenue to 7% of the previous year’s revenue.

Amendment 2—Must Section 36(B), Article III of the constitution of this State be amended so as to provide that the Capital Reserve Fund of two percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year be increased to three percent of the general fund revenue of the latest completed fiscal year and to provide that the first use of the Capital Reserve Fund must be to offset midyear budget reductions? Explanation A “Yes” vote will increase the amount of money state government must appropriate to the Capital Reserve Fund (the “reserve and capital improvements” fund) from 2% of the previous year’s revenue to 3% of the previous year’s revenue and require that the Capital Reserve Fund’s first priority is to offset midyear budget cuts at state agencies.