Both Democrats are making their final pitch to voters in advance of the House District 31 runoff Tuesday, when low voter turnout is expected and any one vote could make a difference, according to party officials.

“Volunteers are phone banking to help and the candidates are canvassing, sending out mailers and phone banking as well," said Shelly Roehrs, chairwoman of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party.

Rosalyn Henderson Myers finished first in the July 25 special primary, with 607 votes, or 39 percent, while Mo Abusaft received 505 votes, or 32.6 percent. Jerome Rice and Angela Geter finished third and fourth, respectively.

Since no one got more than 50 percent, a runoff between the top two finishers will take place Tuesday, when polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 21 precincts. Absentee voting will take place through 5 p.m. Monday at the voter office in the county administration building on Magnolia Street.

Myers and Abusaft, both attorneys, are seeking the open seat of former Rep. Harold Mitchell, who resigned in May due to health issues. The runoff winner will face Republican Mike Fowler, who won the special Republican primary by defeating challenger Richard Gosnell, 35 votes to 12 votes.

Myers said she believes voters want someone who is “local, grew up here, understands the needs of Spartanburg and can hit the ground running once they get to Columbia.”

She said she’s been endorsed by Geter and by Rice and other council members, among others.

“I’ve gotten the city behind me,” Myers said. “They want to make sure Spartanburg’s future is in good hands and that our voice is represented in Columbia.

"I think we share quite a few of the same interests in that we serve our community.”

Abusaft, former president and current vice president of the Spartanburg branch of the NAACP, said he has received a lot of support, including from several local pastors.

“The 'Our Revolution' Bernie Sanders team has formally endorsed me,” he said.

Abusaft said he’s going door to door and asking those who may have voted for his opponents in the primary to vote for him on Tuesday.

“I think there is a pretty clear contrast between the two campaigns," he said. "I’m an activist outside the system. If people are looking for young, fresh ideas then I think we’re going to be successful.

“My message is and has been that black, brown and working class folk are not getting their fair share in this community. This is not a time for timid leadership.”

Mitchell said he isn't endorsing anyone, but said he would have liked to see the candidates pressed further on what promises they've delivered on in their respective positions.

He also said the role of a state representative should have been better explained.

Nonetheless, he said he plans to back Tuesday's winner, who will face the Republican Fowler in the Sept. 26 special election.

Democratic Party official Don Bramblett said he is concerned about low voter turnout. The district has has nearly 18,760 registered voters, but only about 1,600 — less than 10 percent — voted in the recent primary.

He and Roehrs said they are trying to get word out to voters who may not realize they are in House District 31.

Roehrs said she hopes to boost turnout Tuesday.

“It’s extremely frustrating," she said. "If you don’t care about local stuff and only about what’s coming out of D.C., there’s a disconnect there. So when they tell me they don’t care, that’s just more fire to keep me going.”