Women, white voters dominate Polk midterm

Published 8:00 am Friday, November 30, 2018

Republicans outvote Democrats in 6 of 7 precincts

COLUMBUS — White voters and women dominated this year’s midterm election in Polk County, with women outvoting men in all seven of the county’s precincts.

Republicans outvoted Democrats in every precinct except Tryon. Republicans also outvoted unaffiliated voters in every precinct except Saluda and Tryon.

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There were 8,710 white voters and 367 black voters in Polk County during the midterm election on Nov. 6.

The Polk County Board of Elections recently canvassed the votes, making them official, and released demographics of the election.

There were 5,009 female voters, compared to 4,245 male voters and 81 undesignated voters, according to the final results.

Most of the black voters came from the precincts of Tryon and Green Creek. Tryon saw 137 black voters and Green Greek saw 122 black voters. Coopers Gap had four black voters, Columbus 7 had 30, Columbus 8 had 25, Saluda had five and White Oak had 44.

Women outvoted men in every precinct, with the most women coming out in Tryon. Tryon saw 1,079 out of a total of 1,951 voters, Columbus 8 had 952 female voters, Green Creek had 771 female voters, Columbus 7 had 727 female voters, White Oak had 514 female votes, Saluda had 509 female voters and Coopers Gap had 457 female voters.

Men cast 4,245 votes in Polk County, with the most coming from Tryon at 858. There were 767 male votes cast in Columbus 8, 705 male votes cast in Green Creek, 606 in Columbus 7, 437 in both Coopers Gap and Saluda, and 435 in White Oak.

Women came out with a 58 percent turnout, compared to men at a 57.6 percent turnout. There are currently 8,641 women registered to vote in Polk County, compared to 7,374 men registered to vote.

Black voters came out at a rate of 49.9 percent turnout, compared to white voters at a 58.6 percent turnout.

There are currently 736 black registered voters in the county, and 14,872 white registered voters.

This election also saw five American Indian voters, 105 other and 148 undesignated.

Local elected officials will be sworn into office during ceremonies on Monday, Dec. 3.