While voter turnout tends to be higher during presidential election years, many local races happen in non-presidential years, including some right here in the Upstate.
With November rapidly approaching, filing to run for certain seats within most cities in Greenville County is open until Aug. 16 at noon at each municipality’s City Hall.
The city of Greenville is the only municipality in the county that has already closed its filing. City residents were able to file in March for the Commissioners of Public Works and City Council districts 2, 4 and at-large.
Whose seat is up for reelection?
City of Greer
- Council District 2, Wayne Griffin
- Council District 4, Lee Dumas
- Council District 6, Judy Albert
- Commissioner of Public Works, Jeffery M. Howell
City of Travelers Rest
- Mayor, Brandy Amidon
- Four council seats occupied by Harvey Choplin, Rick Floyd, Jeff George and Brantly Vest
City of Fountain Inn
- City Council Ward 1, John Mahony
- City Council Ward 3, Anjeanette (AJ) Dearybury
- City Council Ward 5, Anthony Cunningham
City of Mauldin
- City Council Seat 1, Taft Matney
- City Council Seat 3, Jason Kraeling
- City Council Seat 5, Dale Black
City of Simpsonville
- City Council Ward 2, Stephanie Kelley
- City Council Ward 4, Sherry Roche
- City Council Ward 6, Lou Hutchings
Filing fees and candidate requirements
Each municipality has different rules and fees when filing for elections.
For example, Simpsonville, Greer and Fountain Inn require council candidates to reside in the same district or ward as the one they’re running to serve whereas Travelers Rest and Mauldin do not.
However, Greer’s rules change slightly for the mayoral race or its CPW commissioners. Candidates for these roles may live anywhere within the city.
Each municipality also has its own unique filing fee for this year’s election.
The filing fees are:
- Mauldin – $100 for City Council
- Travelers Rest – $180 for City Council and $240 for mayor
- Simpsonville – $480 for mayor and $300 for City Council
- Greer – $70 for City Council and $125 for Commissioner of Public Works
- Fountain Inn – $100 for City Council
Who votes for each seat?
Travelers Rest, Fountain Inn, Mauldin and Simpsonville all have their elections at-large, which is where the whole city votes, while Greer and Greenville have single member districts, meaning that citizens living within a district with a contested seat vote for that office. In addition, Greenville has two at-large seats, so the entire city is able to vote for those candidates, who must also reside within the municipal limits.
For more information, visit simpsonville.com, fountaininn.org, cityofmauldin.org, travelersrestsc.com, greenvillesc.gov or cityofgreer.org.
