ELECTION NIGHT: Trump takes lead in electoral votes [Video]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Former President Donald Trump took an early lead Tuesday night over Vice President Kamala Harris.

As of 8:40 p.m., Trump has 101 electoral votes with 10 states, including South Carolina, being called into his column. Harris has 71 electoral votes from eight states called for her.

Trump or Harris must reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidential race.

Click here to see the latest election results.

South Carolina state election officials have begun the task of counting ballots Tuesday night after polls close across the Palmetto State.

Trump or Harris must reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidential race.

Over the last two weeks, a record number of South Carolinians — just over a million-and-a-half people either in person or via mail — voted early. That’s about 46 percent of the state’s registered voters.