No one-stop in S.C.
The Town of Columbus, City of Saluda and Town of Tryon all decided to offer early, one-stop voting for this year’s municipal election.
Early voting will begin Oct. 20 and end Nov. 5 in Polk County. No polling places will be set up, but registered voters can vote early at the Polk County Board of Elections, located in the Womack building opposite the courthouse in Columbus.
The board of elections will be open for early voting Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 5, board of elections will be open for early voting from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Absentee ballots for Polk voters will be available on Oct. 7 and must be returned by Nov. 7.
South Carolina does not offer early voting, so Landrum voters will not have that option. Registered voters who plan to use absentee voting in South Carolina must mail requests for applications at least five weeks prior to the Nov. 8 election. The Spartanburg County Elections Office allows voting beginning 10 days prior to the election for absentee voters as well.
All area towns will have a race this year except for Columbus.
In Columbus, Mayor Eric McIntyre is running unopposed, as are council members Richard Hall and Ernie Kan. Councilman Michael Gage is not seeking re-election, but Ricky McCallister filed for his seat.
Saluda commissioners John Morgan and Leon Morgan are both seeking re-election and are being challenged by Lynn Cass.
In Tryon, Mayor Alan Peoples is running unopposed, but there is a race for two open council seats. Councilman Roy Miller is seeking re-election, challenged by George Baker and Jim Scott. Councilman Austin Chapman is not seeking re-election this year.
In Landrum, incumbents Jon Matheis, Joyce Whiteside and Randy Wohnig are being challenged by Johnny Carruth. Landrum voters will also vote on a referendum this year on whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants.
The general election will be held at precinct polling places on Nov. 8.