Although the most experienced person in Orangeburg County’s election office has less than a year on the job, officials say they’re working together to make sure November’s election goes smoothly.

Everyone’s chipping in, and the county has provided extra employees to process voter registration and absentee ballot applications, as well as to prepare for the general election, Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections Director Howard Jackson said Tuesday.

“We all realize we’re in this thing together as a county,” Jackson said.

Jackson and several County Election Commission members spoke the day after the head of the local NAACP voiced concerns about delayed and incorrect voter registration cards, as well as employees who aren’t able to answer questions.

Jackson released a statement on Tuesday, saying, “The Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections office is working diligently to ensure a fair and smooth election. Our office, along with other offices across the state, is processing a record number of voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications.” The office has received 2,700 absentee ballot applications.

Employees have been working 12 hours or more to ensure the work is done on time, Jackson said.

In addition, Jackson defended the office’s staff, saying they “have been very professional.” And employees know that if they don’t know the answer to a question, they can pass the call to Jackson.

Of the concerns mentioned Monday night, one has already been addressed. The office has made new voter registration cards for college students who received cards listing the incorrect precinct. New cards will be mailed to affected students beginning tomorrow, Jackson said.

A resident also complained Monday about his daughter receiving a blank absentee ballot in the mail. Jackson explained Tuesday that his office had to use special write-in ballots because its ballots did not arrive by the deadline to mail off overseas ballots.

For the elections office, November will be the culmination of an eventful year. Jackson was selected in January to replace longtime county election official Earl Whalen.

Following the June primary, Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter called for an investigation into allegations involving absentee ballots. State Law Enforcement Division officials met with elections officials again last week.

“We’re fully cooperating,” Jackson said.

A special municipal election in Elloree will have to be repeated because the elections office failed to give notice of a change in the election day.

And then on Sept. 11, one longtime employee left the office to become precinct coordinator in Charleston County.

Two weeks later, an employee with 28 years of experience was suspended for insubordination, Jackson said. And a week later, an employee with more than two years on the job was also suspended.

The 28-year employee says they were suspended for not conducting poll worker training, which they saw as Jackson’s duty.

Jackson says the longest-serving one no longer works with the office, while the other is out on medical leave. Election Commission Chairman Rut Thomas said they could not comment further because personnel matters are involved.

In all, the office now has two full-time employees, two full-time temporary employees and two full-time county employees who are assisting, Jackson said. In addition, other county employees are assisting in the afternoon, plus about 30 college students have been helping with clerical duties. Some of the county workers have election experience.

“It’s never a good time to lose employees, especially around election time,” Jackson said.

Although the employees may have less experience, Jackson said, “Some of the mistakes were not necessarily made by the new staff ... but by the new staff and seasoned staff as well.”

Thomas said the commissioners have been assisting and the state Election Commission has been helpful. He said the state commission is also expected to help with some training.

County commission members say they have concerns -- but then they always have concerns when they’re gearing up for a big election.

Thomas, who has been on the commission since 1972, said, “It’s always a hectic time around election time and you think you’re not going to have it turn out.”

But Commissioner Katherine John said the office started preparing for this election early. And commissioners are helping out to make sure things run smoothly. For instance, she’s been coming in five or six hours a day for two days a week.

In his statement, Jackson said, “The Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections (Office) is committed to preserving the legal rights of all citizens of Orangeburg County. I welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone concerning any of the issues that have been raised.”

T&D City Editor Gene Crider can be reached by e-mail at gcrider@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5570.

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