Clarendon County voters in District 2 will head to the polls this spring to choose a new county council member following the death of longtime Councilman William James “W.J.” Frierson Sr., who served the district for more than three decades.
State law requires a special election to fill the vacant seat, and county officials announced this week that candidate filing will open at noon Jan. 16 and close at noon Jan. 24. Candidates seeking a political party’s nomination must file with the Clarendon County Board of Voter Registration and Elections at 3 S. Church St. in Manning.
A $100 filing fee is required for candidates running in a party primary. All candidates must also file a Statement of Economic Interests and campaign disclosure forms with the South Carolina Ethics Commission, though failure to do so does not disqualify a candidate from the election.
If more than one candidate files for a party, a primary election will be held Tuesday, March 10, with a runoff, if necessary, on March 24. The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. Voters must be registered by April 12 to participate in the primary, runoff or special election.
Polling places across District 2 will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. Precincts include Alcolu, Bloomville, Davis Station, Homebranch, Jordan, multiple Manning precincts, Paxville and Wilson-Foreston, with voting locations remaining consistent with recent elections.
The Board of Voter Registration and Elections will also conduct hearings to determine the validity of provisional ballots following the primary, runoff and special election. Absentee ballot return envelopes will be examined beginning at 3 p.m. the day before each primary or runoff and on the day of the runoff itself.
Frierson, who died Dec. 26 at age 72, had represented District 2 since January 1995. A respected minister and public servant, he was remembered by colleagues and residents alike as a steady, compassionate voice in county government and a tireless advocate for his community.
Frierson’s death also marked a rare moment in county history, as council members noted they could not recall another instance of a sitting council member passing away while in office. His legacy, colleagues said, will weigh heavily as voters consider who should succeed him.
