SC voters to decide who will face off in November. Runoffs expected in several races.

COLUMBIA — South Carolina voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide the nominees for statewide, congressional and state House contests.

Precincts opened at 7 a.m. and officially close at 7 p.m., though anyone in line at closing time will be able to vote. Primary day follows a record turnout for early voting, which ended Friday.

All constitutional officers are on the ballot this year, as well as the state’s seven congressional seats, one U.S Senate race, and all 124 state House seats. But not all of those contests have competitive primaries.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has competition on both parties’ primary ballots: three Democrats and five Republicans are vying to replace the GOP senator. (One Republican dropped out in April.)

Both parties’ ballots also include the first wide-open contest for governor in 16 years.

Seven Republicans are listed on GOP ballots, though Jacqueline Hicks DuBose was disqualified last month. And state Sen. Josh Kimbrell announced his departure from the race last week, officially making it a five-way primary.

Three Democrats are vying for the chance to be the first Democrat in 28 years to win the Governor’s Mansion.

In South Carolina, if no candidate gets at least 50% plus one vote, the top two vote-getters advance to the June 23 primary runoffs.

The GOP ballot also includes the first wide-open race for attorney general in 16 years. Three Republicans are competing to replace Alan Wilson, who is among the GOP contenders for governor. The winner between state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, and solicitors David Pascoe and David Stumbo will face Democrat Richard Hricik in November.

Republicans will also vote in the first race for agriculture commissioner in 20 years without an incumbent. Four Republicans want to replace Hugh Weathers, who is retiring after 22 years at the agency’s helm. They are Jeremy Cannon, Danny Ford II, Cody Simpson, and Fred West.

On the Democratic ballot, voters will decide nominees for comptroller general, state superintendent of education, secretary of state, state treasurer, in addition to governor.

Congressional contests

Voters in the coastal 1st District have the state’s most contested contest, with 10 Republicans (after former Gov. Mark Sanford withdrew) and seven Democrats competing to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who’s running for governor.

In the 2nd District, four Democrats and two Republicans are trying to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson.

In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. William Timmons has two primary challengers.

The state’s longest-serving congressman and lone Democrat in the delegation, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, has one opponent on the Democratic ballot and two on the Republican ballot.

In the 3rd District, two Democrats are competing for the chance to challenge U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs in November. And in the 5th District, two Democrats are seeking the nomination to run against state Sen. Wes Climer in November. Climer has no GOP opposition in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who’s among the Republicans running for governor.

This year’s elections mark the first time in 32 years that Democrats have at least one candidate for every constitutional office and the first time in over 50 years there’s a Democrat competing in every state House race.