While November still seems far away, election ling is underway for candidates seeking a seat at the table of Isle of Palms leadership that will be decided at the Nov. 4 municipal election. Up for re-election on the IOP City Council are Mayor Phillip Pounds, fist elected in 2022, and these four council seats: Jan Anderson, John Bogosian, Blair Hahn and Katie Miars. Don Smith and Curtis Helfrich are up for re-election as two of the ve commissioners on the Isle of Palms Water & Sewer Commission.
All candidates have 11 days to file either for election or re-election. Filing will open at noon on Friday, Aug. 29, and close Tuesday, Sept. 8, at noon.
Candidates who are unable to be physically present during this time can file by agent, who can deliver the filing fee check and the Statement of Intention of Candidacy form properly completed, signed and notarized on behalf of the candidate. If anyone other than the candidate turns in the #SHARINGisCARING form, the candidate must have a notary watch them sign the form and complete the section that says, “for use if candidate signs in presence of Notary Public.”
Candidates filing for office on Sullivan’s Island must also file a petition with at least 5% of registered voters supporting their candidacy.
To be eligible to cast a ballot in the municipal election, residents must be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
“Oct. 5 is the last day to register,” said Matt Dillane, marketing and communications coordinator with the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. “You do not need a Real license ID – you can use your existing standard license ID, as long as it is not expired.”
If you prefer to vote early, early voting will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day from Oct. 20-24 and Oct. 27-31. Early voting sites include Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant; the main library in downtown Charleston; Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island; Essex Village Church of Christ in West Ashley; and Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections headquarters.The looming question is whether oter turnout will be as high as it was in 2021 and 2023. In IOP’s 2021 mayoral election, 2,081 people voted – 44.34% of eligible voters. During the 2023 race for four council seats the turnout was even more impressive at 56.86%.
Dillane said he hopes the healthy turnout and interest will continue this November. “Municipal elections are among the lowest in voter turnout, which is unfortunate because those are the ones that impact things in your own backyard,” he said. “So in the case of IOP, it would be good to see a decent turnout again. Each individual vote in a local election can make a difference in the outcome.”
By L. C. Leach III
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