Monday, Nov. 5, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Absentee voting in South Carolina has hit a record high after surpassing votes cast early four years ago.

The state Election Commission said about 367,500 people had voted absentee by 2:15 p.m. Monday. That exceeds the previous high set in 2008 by more than 25,000 voters.

In the last presidential election, absentee voting represented nearly 18 percent of all ballots cast.

The numbers include both mailed ballots and people voting in-person absentee. South Carolina technically does not have early voting. But people can vote at their county office if they give an excuse for why they can't vote on Election Day. That option exists through 5 p.m. Monday.

Absentee voters could climb to nearly 400,000, according to total ballots issued. Mailed ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. Tuesday.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)