COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Democrats in South Carolina go to the polls to select a candidate for a vacant South Carolina House seat.

The District 70 seat is in Richland and a small part of Sumter County.

It became vacant when Rep. Joe Neal of Hopkins died Jan. 14.

Eight Democrats are seeking their party's nomination Tuesday. Unless someone gets more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates on May 16.

The winner will face Bill Strickland in the June 20 special election.