§ 2-23. Qualifications; election; term.

(a)

Election method. Pursuant to S.C. Code 1976, § 5-15-20, the mayor and councilmembers shall be elected from the municipality at large.

(b)

Terms of office.

(1)

The office of mayor shall be for the term of four years.

(2)

The office of council shall be for the term of four years staggered.

(3)

Ware Shoals Town Council shall consist of six members.

(4)

The office of mayor shall be elected in 2012 and every four years after, provided a vacancy does not occur.

(5)

Three council seats shall be elected in 2012 and every four years after, provided a vacancy does not occur. The remaining three seats shall be elected in 2014 and every four years after, provided a vacancy does not occur.

(c)

Nonpartisan election procedure.

(1)

Results for all general and special elections for mayor and councilmembers will be determined in accordance with the nonpartisan plurality method authorized by S.C. Code 1976, § 5-15-61.

(2)

The Greenwood County Election Commission shall file results of the election with the town clerk. Any challenges to any election procedures shall be made to and heard by the Greenwood County Election Commission within the time prescribed by law.

(d)

Election commission. All general and special elections shall be conducted by the Greenwood County Election Commission. The election commission shall have the powers and duties specified S.C. Code 1976, § 5-15-145, and applicable provisions of Title 7 of the S.C. Code.

(e)

General and special election dates and notice.

(1)

General elections for the offices of mayor and members of council shall be held in even-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

(2)

Special elections to fill vacancies shall be held pursuant to S.C. Code 1976, § 7-13-190 and § 5-15-70.

(3)

A special election is required when a mayor or councilmember vacates the office more than 180 days before the next municipal general election. The department of justice requests notification of any special election.

(4)

Two public notices of a regular or special election shall be given. The first notice shall be given at least 60 days prior to the election.

(5)

The second notice shall be given no later than two weeks after the first notice.

(f)

Filing statement of candidacy.

(1)

Each person offering as a candidate for the general election to any town office shall do so by filing a statement of intention of candidacy with the Greenwood County Election Commission in substantially the following form:

I hereby file notice that I am candidate for election to the office of mayor, councilmember or commissioner of public works for the Town/City of ___________, District No. ___ in the regular/special municipal election to be held on ________.

I certify that I am a qualified elector and resident of the municipality, and district, for which I seek election.

(2)

Filing for general municipal elections must be received by the Greenwood County Election Commission not later than 12:00 noon on August 15 or, if August 15 falls on Saturday or Sunday, not later than 12:00 noon on the following Monday (S.C. Code 1976, § 7-13-350).

(g)

Filing fees. The filing fee for the office of mayor shall be $50.00. The filing fee for town council shall be $25.00.

(h)

Election expenses. The Town of Ware Shoals shall be responsible for all costs associated with the conduct of its municipal elections, including, but not limited to, the cost of publishing the notice of election advertisement, the printing of ballots and postage associated with absentee ballots. The town shall also be responsible for payment of $10.00 for each poll worker assigned to the polls by the Greenwood County Election Commission for marking an extra set of election books. Bills shall be paid to the Greenwood County Treasurer within 30 days from the date that such bills are rendered.

(i)

Time of taking office. Officials elected at general elections shall take office on the first meeting in January after the election. Officials elected at special elections shall take office at the first meeting of council after the election results are certified.

(Code 1988, § 1-2-1; Ord. No. 92-02, 1992; Ord. No. 11-05, §§ 1—9, 8-16-2011)

State law reference

Qualifications of mayor and councilmembers, S.C. Code 1976, § 5-15-20.