LIVE UPDATES: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley supporters head to polls, voice opinions on issues

The Republican presidential primary on Saturday, Feb. 24 pits former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley against former president Donald Trump.

Follow along throughout the day for election updates and live results at Greenvilleonline.com, GoUpstate.com, and Independentmail.com.

Our team of reporters including Chalmers Rogland, Savannah Moss, Joanna Johnson, Travis Rose, Terry Benjamin, and photographers Alex Hicks, Ken Ruinard, and McKenzie Lange will visit polling places in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg counties to capture the mood and concerns of voters in the 2024 presidential race.

What time do polls open and close?

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To ensure you are registered to vote, check the website scVOTES.gov for your designated voting location and registry confirmation.

Polling locations throughout Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties can be found by visiting scVOTES.gov or by contacting a local county elections office.

Trump voter says former president has 'harsh personality'

Chasidy Reese, a 36-year-old Republican from Travelers Rest, voted for Donald Trump at the City Hall precinct.

"I think he did a good job when he was in office," Reese said. "I think a lot of people voted the other way based on emotions and feelings. I think he has a harsh personality and always doesn't come across as the nicest, but when it comes to making financial decisions for the country and keeping us safe, I think he does a good job."

Terry Benjamin

Republican, Independent vote for Nikki Haley

Spartanburg couple Joan Cope, 61, a Republican who votes mainly Democrat, and Chumley Cope, 63, an independent, explained why they voted for Nikki Haley.

“I decided that I wanted to vote for Nikki Haley instead of Trump," Joan Cope said. "I admire her in a lot of ways. I feel like she’s a fighter and persistent in standing up for what she believes in. In the national election, I’d vote Biden but I wanted to stand up for Nikki today. I think we need to be more moderate, and I’m frustrated with the extremism in our country. We need to make more moderate choices and not inflame people’s emotions."

Chumley Cope said his vote was against Donald Trump.

“In my fantasy, we’re all going to turn out and vote for Nikki Haley just to tell the world that you know we feel so strongly against Donald Trump," Chumley Cope said. "Who knows where all this is going with Trump’s legal situation? Will he be the nominee, just based on how he gets out or doesn’t get out of the legal predicament that he’s in?"

Joanna Johnson

Immigration, inflation top of mind for Trump voter

Republican Sally Brainerd, 70, of Anderson, voted for Donald Trump at the Pierce Town/North Point precinct.

"I voted for Trump because he knows what it takes to be president," he said. "If elected again, I would like to see him tackle immigration and inflation. Something has to change."

Travis Rose

Left-leaning Democrat votes for Nikki Haley

Hannah James, 18, of Travelers Rest, at the City Hall precinct, said she was a left-leaning Democrat who voted for Haley.

"I decided that if it came down to having a Republican president, I'd rather have Haley over Trump," James said.

"Well, I just think that some of her policies are less extreme than Trump's and she's more moderate," she said explaining her reason for voting for Haley over Trump. "I believe that she is closer to my views than Trump's are.

"Trump has always been very anti-immigration," she said.

"I'd still rather have a Democratic president. However, it's just Trump, as well as his supporters, just don't align with my views."

Terry Benjamin

Border, economy on Trump voter's mind

Babs Smith, 70, of Spartanburg, voted at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spartanburg around 10:40 a.m.

“I had a definite opinion on who I wanted to vote for," she said. "I always vote, small or big. I think Trump is best for our country with the border and economics.”

Republican Michael Long, 63, of Spartanburg voted for Haley. “I wanted to come out to vote for Nikki Haley because I want to see stability in the country," she said. "Trump I believe will bring just more chaos and I feel that’s not what the country needs.”

Republican Lenny Mathis, 45, of Spartanburg, voted for Haley. He brought along his son, saying it’s important to show the new generation the importance of voting.“I wanted to show my son the process of voting, and why it’s so important. We always vote, no matter what. I voted for Nikki Haley, because I liked her leadership style when she was governor and there’s a lot of issues with Trump right now.”

Joanna Johnson

'I want to give Haley a chance'

Republican Ginger Rittweger, 78, of Anderson voted for Nikki Haley at Whitehall Edgewood Station B in Anderson County.

"I want to give Haley a chance and see what she can do," she said, explaining that the border and pro-life legislation were issues she was interested in when voting.

Travis Rose

Democrat crosses aisle to vote for Nikki Haley

Early voting for the 2024 Presidential Primaries began on Feb. 12 and ended on Feb. 22.

"We had 4,799 early voters," said Laura Booth, Anderson County Board of Voter Registration Executive Director. "Early voting provides more convenience and increases voting participation."

At Centerville Precinct, Station B, Kim Bagwell, a 61-year-old resident of Anderson County and a Democratic voter, said she voted for Nikki Haley.

Bagwell said she switched her vote to Haley because she dislikes the Democratic candidates. "I want to see women in the chair," she said, also explaining that she wanted more funding for schools and lower taxes.

Travis Rose

SC Republican primary live updates: South Carolina Republican primary live updates: Nikki Haley fights for upset against Trump

'I don't think we need to be globe's babysitter.'

Republican Micheal Joseph Berthiaume, 61, of Marietta, voted for Trump around 9:19 a.m. at Slater Marietta Elementary School.

"I don't think we need to be the globe's babysitter," Berthiaume said. "I understand there's conflicts all over the globe but we have so much going on in our own country. We don't need to be sending $62 billion here, $48 billion there, when we have veterans, homelessness and issues all over the country here, they're being ignored."

Also at the Slater Marriott precinct, Jim Jones, 58, a conservative independent, said he voted for Trump.

"Roughly four to seven years ago, we were in a lot better shape than we are now," he said. "He was doing all the right things back then, and I figure if he gets back in, he'll do all the right things again."

He voiced his opinions on why he steered away from Haley as his vote.

"I have actually lived through her governorship, and she raised taxes," he said. "She changed her stances on lots of several things back when she was there. Some of them I didn't care about, but just the fact that she told me one thing and to turn around and do another seemed to be a problem."

Bobbie Garrett, 85, who described himself as a conservative Republican, voted for Trump.

"Well, because when he was there, he got the job done," Garrett said. "I think he says too many things that he shouldn't be saying but he got the job done. That's what I want to see us back to. We've got so many people coming across that border, we're going to get invaded pretty quick. I just pray that things get straightened out before then. Not for me, but for the younger people who have to live in this world."

Terry Benjamin

Today show reporting live from Greenville

National interest in today's South Carolina Republican primary is high. The Today Show was reporting live from Greenville and Columbia.

Haley was on the Today show for an exclusive interview and used her signature catchphrase that it "was a great day to be in South Carolina."

"What I'm banking on is the fact that he can't win in a general election," Haley said when asked if she was banking on Trump being convicted. "If we really want to see a change in our country we have to win and we can't win with someone who is not able to win a general election," she said referring to Donald Trump.

She said 70 percent of Americans don't want President Biden or Donald Trump. "Sixty percent of Americans think Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old to be president," she said in the interview.

"This isn't about conviction. This is about chaos," Haley said when asked if she had any conversations with party leaders on the what if Trump was convicted. "There is chaos all around him. Republicans lost with him in 2018. They lost with him in 2020. They lost with him in 2022. A couple of weeks ago, Republicans lost the vote on the border. They lost the vote on Israel. The RNC chair lost her position. And he had his fingerprints on all of that. Everything he touches is chaos that leads to a loss. And how many more times do Republicans have to lose before they realize that maybe he's the one who's the problem."

Jose Franco

Haley voter said he was voting against Donald Trump

Jorge Lara, 43, of Greer, was one of the first people in line to vote at 7:30 a.m. at Riverside High School and chose Nikki Haley as his candidate.

Lara said it was his first time voting in any primary and he was voting against Donald Trump. "I feel that it's important to vote against Donald Trump. Simply because it's my belief that our democracy may be in danger," Lara said.

Lara said he grew up in Cuba. "I come from a country where it was a dictatorship," he said. "I see Trump's leanings and cozying up to dictatorships and kind of accepting the Russian behavior, betraying our allies. This is very important for me. Today's not so much about a vote for Nikki Haley, or for any particular politician, it is a vote against Trump."

Rick McKeeman, 73, of Greer, voted for Trump at Riverside High School.

"Well, I think the country is just now starting to wake up from the last three years of hell we've been through," he said. "I think we need a manager and Trump's a manager," he said. "He's a darn good manager, he has owned his businesses. He's used to being in the boardroom, sitting at the head of the table, and being the boss. When he's in the Oval Office, he's the boss."

Republican Michael Boling, 33, of Greer said he voted for Nikki Haley. "I don't feel comfortable voting a criminal into office," Boling said, referencing Trump. "I think that anybody who thinks that Donald Trump has your best interest in mind rather than his is sorely mistaken. He definitely is not fit for the American people."

Terry Benjamin

Spartanburg voters support Nikki Haley, Donald Trump

Walter Smith, 65, of Roebuck, came out to vote for Nikki Haley at 7:45 a.m. at Gable Middle School in Roebuck. “I’m impressed with Nikki Haley," he said. "I had the chance to experience her as governor and I think she will be an excellent representation as president for the U.S. She appears straightforward and honest.”Smith also likes her foreign policy experience. "She has the insight to weigh in both what’s going on here in North America and the insight what’s in shambles such as Russia, Hamas and Ukraine. There’s more to winning a war than money.”

The crowd was small this morning, with around 15 people showing up as soon as the polls opened at Gabe Middle School at 7 a.m. As the morning progressed, a few more cars pulled into the parking lot.

Klay Peterson, 72, a Roebuck resident explained why he came out to vote for Trump. “It’s an important part of the democratic processes and our voices need to be heard," he said. "Not voting is shirking responsibility. I voted for Trump, but there’s a lot of good candidates. With his experience and toughness, he’s the man."

Peterson compared Trump to Churchhill. "Churchill had the same determination," he said.

Peterson also said what's happening at the border concerned him and he felt Trump would be best able to handle the problems at the border.

"The border is number one. Having been in law enforcement for over 40 years, I’m concerned with safety and crime in our country. We don’t know what their intentions are and I’m worried we’ll have to pay that price."

He said he also believed many people were coming across the border to do wrong to the country.

Rosemary Gaddy, 55, of Roebuck, said they voted for Trump. “We need a change," she said. "I voted for Trump, and I am hoping we can go back to some of the policies we had before."

The border issues were weighing on her mind. "So many people are coming in and some can’t get in," she said. "Everybody needs to vote and we all have an opinion. It’s our right.”

Joanna Johnson

Voting in SC's Republican primary? What to know.

The South Carolina Republican presidential primary is set for Feb. 24 with Palmetto state native and former governor Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump and equity group CEO Ryan Binkley all on the ballot.

The state operates an open primary system where voters can cast ballots for any of the three potential candidates regardless of party affiliation if they did not vote in South Carolina Democratic Primary earlier this month.

Thus far, Trump has claimed victory in the Iowa and Nevada caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Although Haley suffered a loss to "none" in Nevada's primary on Feb. 6, she has not indicated dropping out as she's toured her home state all month and is still aiming to snag the 50 delegates up for grabs in the Palmetto state on Saturday.

Click here to read

A.J. Jackson

When should we see results from GOP presidential primary?

After residents choose a candidate in the Republican presidential primary on Saturday, they will want to know who won.

Election officials said the Republican primary results will take longer than the Democratic primary results on Feb. 3 because more people are voting in the Republican primary.

Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump and equity group CEO Ryan Binkley are all on the ballot.

Greenville County elections office expects to have initial ballots counted around 7:45 p.m., and total preliminary voting tallies completed around 11 p.m., according to Conway Belangia, director of elections for Greenville County.

Click here to read.

A.J. Jackson

Trump talks Haley, policy during Rock Hill rally

ROCK HILL − Former president Donald Trump visited Rock Hill Friday as part of a final campaign push in South Carolina ahead of Saturday's Republican primary.

After an introduction by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Trump talked about rival Nikki Haley, the southern border, and the economy, among other topics. Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd that nearly filled Winthrop Coliseum, which seats 6,100, not including the additional floor seating.

Greenville County Councilman Benton Blount, a finalist on Season 10 of America's Got Talent, sang the national anthem in front of the crowd.

As rally attendees filtered in, South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and U.S. Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) warmed up the crowd in the hours before Trump took the stage at 4:30 p.m.

Click here to read.

Chalmers Rogland

What do SC polls say about Trump, Haley?

South Carolinians will cast their ballots in the Republican presidential primary on Saturday, and despite candidate Nikki Haley’s prior tenure as the state’s governor, polls point to former President Donald Trump as the likely victor.

A February poll led by Suffolk University/USA TODAY published Tuesday morning showed that 63% likely South Carolina Republican primary voters surveyed plan to vote for Trump, while only 35% plan to vote for Haley. The poll was conducted between Feb. 15-18 and included 500 responses.

A larger poll conducted between Feb. 13-15 of likely Republican primary voters in the state led by partisan Trafalgar Group also reported that 63% of responders said they plan to support Trump, compared to less than 34% who said they plan to support Haley.

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Sarah Swetlik

Who is on Trump's VP list?

At Tuesday's FOX News town hall event, former President Donald Trump dropped a list of names for potential running mates.

Among those names were South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

"Honestly all of those people are good. They're all good, they're all solid," Trump told Laura Ingraham regarding his vice-presidential shortlist.

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Nina Tran

Can Nikki Haley's home state boost her campaign?

The stakes are high for presidential hopeful Nikki Haley in her home state as she faces an uphill battle before the state's Republican Presidential Preference Primary on Feb. 24. But the former governor says she’s accustomed to being the “underdog.”

“I’ve always been David taking on Goliath,” Haley said during an intimate rally in downtown Greenville on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

She's lost all three presidential primary elections so far in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. Still, she’s hoping to take her campaign all the way, and as she’s pointed out on the trail, she’s always been able to come back in the past.

Click here to read.

Savannah Moss

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: LIVE UPDATES: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley supporters head to polls in SC