REALTOR® Voter Guide
The general election is November 5. By state law, registered voters can vote early at various polling locations until November 2. Yes, you can vote on Saturday during the early voting period, which started this week. Visit www.SCVotes.gov to find your polling place.
Your REALTORS® Association has prepared a Voter Guide to help you evaluate the candidates. You can download the REALTOR® Voter Guide by clicking here. (link to the location of the Voter Guide on the website)
These are the offices that are on the ballot in the Western Upstate:
• President of the United States
• U.S. Congress District 3
• SC Solicitor District 10 (Anderson and Oconee counties)
• SC House of Representatives
• SC Senate
• County Councilmembers in Anderson County (all 7 seats), Oconee County (3 seats), and Pickens County (4 seats)
• Auditor, Clerk of Court, Coroner, Sheriff, and Treasurer in Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties
• School Board seats in Anderson County (multiple seats in the five school districts and the countywide board of education), Oconee County (3 seats), and Pickens County (3 seats)
• Williamston Mayor and City Council (2 seats)
• Clemson Mayor and City Council (3 seats)
Ballot Questions
As I reported last week, there is a statewide ballot question to amend the SC Constitution on voting, two questions related to a local option sales tax in Anderson County, and a local question in Oconee County about creating a new fire district.
Other Offices on the Ballot
We haven’t covered all the offices you may see on the ballot. Some of the more obscure offices are difficult to research. They include local conservation district boards and local fire and sewer district boards. The Town of Starr also has a general election on November 5, but we were not able to find any information about the candidates. We know that Starr has a five-member council, including the mayor.
Write-In Candidates
The candidates we listed in the Voter Guide are declared candidates who will be on the ballot. Write-in candidates are common, and we know of one write-in campaign—a group of citizens are campaigning to write in Rep. Bill Sandifer’s name for SC House District 2. Sandifer, who was supported by RPAC, was defeated in the June primary by Adam Duncan.
RPAC Recommended
Our objective is to give you the best information we can about each race. If our Board of Directors recommended that RPAC support a candidate, we have told you that in the Voter Guide. Note, however, that RPAC does not take a position on the race for President of the United States.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Elections are also an important way that you participate in your government. Your association’s objective is to help elect candidates who share the Realtor position that a vibrant and healthy real estate market is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy. Of course, you must balance your personal and business interests when you vote.
VOTE
If you haven’t already done so, vote early or make plans to VOTE on November 5. But before you vote, click here for the REALTOR® Voter Guide and learn about the candidates.
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry. NAR data tells us that more than 90 percent of Realtors are registered to vote. Imagine the influence Realtors could have if all Realtors voted.
Support RPAC
You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs