November 8 Ballot
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Darlington County voters will face a variety of choices when they head to the polls November 8, with party affiliations ranging from Democrats and Republicans to Libertarians and Working Families. To help prepare and finalize your choices, here are all the races and issues included on this year’s ballot. Please note that the ballot includes some fusion candidates who received the nomination of more than one political party.
Straight Party Option: Allows a voter to tick one box and cast their ballot for every candidate nominated by their preferred political party.
President and Vice President:
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Timothy Michael Kaine (Democratic)
Darrell Castle and Scott Bradley (Constitution)
Evan McMullin and Nathan Johnson (Independence)
Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka (Green)
Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence (Republican)
Peter Skewes and Michael Lacy (American)
Gary Johnson and Bill Weld (Libertarian)
U.S. Senate:
Thomas Dixon (Democratic, Working Families, Green)
Bill Bledsoe (Constitution, Libertarian)
Tim Scott (Republican)
Rebel Michael Scarborough (American)
U.S. House of Representatives District 7:
Mal Hyman (Democratic, Working Families, Green)
Tom Rice (Republican)
State Senate District 29:
Gerald Malloy (Democratic)
State Senate District 36:
Kevin L. Johnson (Democratic)
Leon Winn (Republican)
State House of Representatives District 62:
Robert Williams (Democratic)
State House of Representatives District 54:
Patricia “Pat” Moore Henegan (Democratic)
J.D. Chaplin (Republican)
State House of Representatives District 60:
Phillip Lowe (Republican)
Solicitor Circuit 4:
Will Rogers (Democratic)
Sheriff:
Tony Chavis (Democratic)
Clerk of Court:
Scott B. Suggs (Democratic)
Coroner:
J. Todd Hardee (Democratic)
Auditor:
Margaret Ross Rogers (Democratic)
County Treasurer:
Robin Slater Edwards (Democratic)
Jeff Robinson (Republican)
County Council District 1:
Bobby Kilgo (Republican)
Soil and Water Conservation District Commission:
Thomas G. Chaplin (Nonpartisan)
School Board District 4
Warren Jeffords (Nonpartisan)
Stacie Phillips (Nonpartisan)
The ballot will also include a two-part question under the headings “Sales and Use Tax Referendum” and “Obligation Bonds Referendum.” Hoyt Campbell, director of Darlington County Elections and Registrations, explains that voting “yes” on these two questions will allow the Darlington County School District to extend the current county-wide penny sales tax for another 15 years and to issue bonds not exceeding $60 million for the construction of three elementary schools – one in Lamar, one in Hartsville, and one in Darlington. Voting “no” on these questions will end the current penny sales tax.
Hartsville residents will see a question under the header “Alcohol Sales Referendum.” Voting “yes” would extend non-profit organizations and businesses within city limits the option to apply to the South Carolina Department of Revenue for temporary 24-hour licenses to sell alcohol regardless of the day of week or hours of sales. Voting “no” would deny these options.
Campbell reminds voters that while South Carolina does not have an official early voting program, absentee voting is now available at the Darlington County Elections and Registration office at 131 Cashua Street, and at the satellite voting precinct located at the Hartsville Fire Department on West Carolina and Seventh Street. Any registered voter over the age of 65 can vote absentee. Voters with valid and verifiable reasons – such as military commitments, physical disability, work obligations, or jury duty – can also apply to vote absentee, provided their application is received in person by 5 p.m. the day before the election.
For more information, contact Darlington County Elections and Registrations at 843-398-4900.