Hey Daniel,
I just read your Blog entry and that's hilarious... My day went almost identical (I'm in Richland County), but I've got an even better twist than the "electronic" ballot faux pas... (Incidentally, it was a rainy day for us here too).

I have been a registered voter ever since I moved to SC (in 2001). I'm registered Republican and have been so ever since I have been eligible to vote (16 years and counting now), and I am proud to say that I have never punched a straight party-line ticket because I believe in the value of legitimate thought and debate.

Now, onto my story --
When I drove to my precinct, I was actually confronted at the door by Obama supporters (T-shirts and signs were the tip-off) sporting turbans (or whatever the fashionable name is of the turban-looking headgear worn by bearded middle-easterners), who told me I was making a grave mistake if I voted in the Republican primary (for those of you who do not know, South Carolina Pubs and Dems hold their primaries on different days). Now, if that isn't a blatant violation of the rules governing precict operations, I don't know what is... Nevertheless, they were peaceful enough, they didn't block my entry, and they didn't harrass me when I walked out later smiling with my "I voted" sticker, so who cares right?

Now once I got inside, that's when the real fun began. I was told yet again (3rd election in a row now) that I was at the wrong precinct. I presented identification and a voter registration card that shows that this is, in fact, my correct precinct. Even the guy in charge said I was in the right place as far as he could tell... except my name was not on their list -- AGAIN! So what does this mean? Well, it means I have to do a paper provisional ballot, AGAIN, and as a result, my vote "wouldn't really count" AGAIN! (This stems from the fact that my old address is still in their system somewhere apparently)

After raising hell, because I have re-registered to vote each time, and have been sent a card each time with my address and precinct information, I gave the obligatory "You better straighten this shit out before the general elections" speech, filled out my provisional ballot, and went on my merry way.

Now, why won't it count you might ask? I mean, isn't it the right of the voting public to ensure their vote is counted? I thought so, but apparently when a provisioinal ballot does not provide a space for a write-in, and does not contain your candidate of choice, they frown when you write "RON PAUL" in an obscure place on the ballot - thus nullifying the entire vote. (Either way, I'm pretty sure, it would have gotten lost in "transit" from the "wrong precinct" to the "right precinct"... Just a hunch.)

I'm not being a conspiracy theorist. I believe it's the ineptitude of government workers to do their job right more than some grand onspiracy to keep a lonely Ron Paul supporter at bay... The same thing would happen no matter who I supported or on which day I had voted) So, I have re-registered to vote (Fourth time in 3 years) and have been assured it'll get done right this time (again), and I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my new card. When the general elections come, you'd better believe if my name isn't on the list, I will not be a happy camper at all...