Hello REALTORS®,
Not all elections are partisan. The primary elections and party conventions help set the table for many of the offices on the ballot on November 5. But there are many elected offices that are nonpartisan. That means the political parties don’t nominate the candidates. Filing for the nonpartisan positions has either recently finished or will finish in the next week. The deadline for nonpartisan candidates to be reported to the SC Elections Commission is August 16.
These are the nonpartisan races that will be on the ballot in November:
Williamston City Council
Mayor and Ward’s 3 and 4.
Anderson Board of Education (countywide)
Areas 2, 7, 8, and 9.
Anderson District 1 Board of Education (Powdersville)
Districts 2, 3, and 6
Anderson District 2 Board of Education (Honea Path)
Districts 2a and 2b
Anderson District 3 Board of Education (Iva)
Areas 2 and 3
Anderson District 4 Board of Education (Pendleton)
Areas 1 and 3
Anderson District 5 Board of Education (Anderson)
Seats 1, 3, 4, and 7 and one of two at-large seats.
Pickens County Board of Education (countywide)
Districts 1, 3, and 5
Oconee County Board of Education (countywide)
Areas 2, 4, and 5
Clemson City Council
Clemson’s filing closed last week. These are the candidates:
Mayor:
- Jim Borick
- Robert Halfacre (incumbent)
- Catherine Watt (current council member)
Council:
- Bob Brookover (incumbent)
- John Crolley (planning commissioner)
- Nanda Edgerton
- Alma Evans
- Adam Jones
- Donna London
- Windsor Sherrill
Voters will select three candidates. The top three candidates win. Incumbent John Ducworth did not seek reelection.
In Anderson County, the question of whether the county will impose a special local option sales tax for roads will be on the ballot too. Check last week’s Watchdog Report for the details.
Your association will provide Realtors with a Voter Guide this fall to help you decide how you will vote.
Local Issues
Last week I reported on a proposal to increase the minimum size of planned developments in Clemson. Monday night, Clemson City Council dropped the proposal after the Planning Commission recommended not to adopt the ordinance.
Anderson County Council will take up 2 proposals this week:
- Reduce the maximum size of a summary plat (small subdivision) to 4 lots. The current ordinance allows up to 7 lots.
- Amend the county’s Stormwater Design Manual. The primary change is to increase the design size for stormwater facilities from a 10-year storm to a 25-year storm in two subbasins of the Saluda River: Big Brushy Creek and Craven Creek.
Support RPAC
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry.
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 pro-business 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.
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