Church helps community register to vote

LADSON—Wesley United Methodist Church held a Voter Registration Drive-In Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Despite a brief shower and overcast skies, the event proved to be successful. Volunteers collected registration forms from newly registered participants that will be delivered to the Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester voter registration offices.

Traci Bryant, coordinator for the event, expressed how excited she was when an elderly woman, who is a registered voter, drove by the event and returned with her grandson so that he could get registered.

“I was truly overwhelmed,” Bryant said. “For this woman to take the time to leave and pick up her grandson and then bring him back to register revealed how serious she is about voting.”

Participants received handouts that included information regarding requirements for absentee voting and working the polls. Bryant reminded the elderly who attended the event that they can vote early in-person by visiting their county voter registration office and completing an application for absentee ballot. They may then vote absentee in-person until 5 p.m. on the day before the election.

Dr. Carlton J. McClam Sr., pastor of Wesley, said that he was very pleased with the event.

“I thought that the event was an organized and a positive way for us to be engaged in social ministry at such a critical time,” McClam said. “I am grateful for the efforts of our ministry leadership team here at Wesley for providing such a service for the tri-county area as we prepare for this pivotal upcoming election in November.

“Our prayer is for a great voter turnout at the polls.”