The Clarendon County Voter Registration Board held a meeting on July 22 to discuss upcoming elections and various administrative matters. The board, chaired by Russell Miller, focused on preparations for a special mayoral election and the November general election.
During the meeting, it was announced that a special election for Summerton mayor would be held on September 24, following the resignation of Mac Bagnal. The candidate filing period for this special election, which opened on July 12, closed on the day of the meeting.
Additionally, the board outlined the timeline for the general election. Early voting will commence on October 21 and will be available from Monday through Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The registration office is currently recruiting poll workers, with a recruitment day scheduled for August 1. Flyers have been distributed to inform potential candidates about the opportunity.
Board members also discussed the need for better incentives for poll workers, especially those assigned to outlying precincts. The possibility of providing bonuses to increase participation and retention was suggested.
In the director’s report, Christine Harvin highlighted the ongoing preparations for the elections and the importance of the upcoming workshops. The general workshop is set for September 26, with a staff workshop on September 19. These workshops are designed to ensure all election officials are well-trained and ready for the election season.
Following the open session, the board moved into an executive session to discuss a contractual matter. Upon returning, a concern was raised about the need for more transparency in the board’s executive session discussions, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements. These requirements state that verbiage such as “contractual matter,” as stated on the agenda, is too vague and needs to be slightly more specific without violating a person’s privacy. Miller agreed to research the matter and address it in the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned with a motion after addressing all items on the agenda.
Board members present at the meeting included Maggie Robertson, Sharon Ridgeway, Betsy Watson, Rebecca Battle-Bryant, Gregory Holliday, Kathryn Turbeville, and Mattie Johnson.
For more information on upcoming elections and voter registration, residents can visit the Clarendon County Voter Registration Board’s website or contact their office directly.
