Special election held Tuesday for 2 vacant North Charleston city council seats

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Voters across North Charleston will head to their polling sites Tuesday to decide who represents them in two city council races.

Seven candidates are running for the open District 3 seat, including Lou Baker, Stephanie Hanaway-Pasley, Demetria A McNeil, John Peterson, Maurice Moe Ray, Donnie Singleton, and Travis Walthall.

District 3 includes the Northwoods and Deer Park communities between Rivers Avenue, University Boulevard, and I-26.

Nine candidates are seeking the vacant District 5 seat, including Danielle Barnett, Katesha Breland, Christopher Emde, Katryna Johnson, Carlos Jones, Todd Olds, Mindy Parish, John Singletary, and Brandon Trollinger.

District 5 largely represents communities along Dorchester Road and near the Ashley River.

Only people living within each district can cast a ballot in Tuesday’s election. The outcome will be determined by the plurality method, meaning the candidate who earns the most votes will win each seat.

The election comes after two North Charleston city councilmembers resigned in February amid a federal corruption investigation.

Jerome Heyward (District 5) and Sandino Moses (District 3) were charged Feb. 26 in a year-long public corruption investigation that uncovered several schemes involving bribery, kickbacks, extortion, and money laundering. Both resigned shortly after the charges were announced.

Six other people, including District 1 Councilman Mike Brown, were also charged with public corruption as part of the investigation. Brown’s seat is not included in the upcoming special election, as he did not resign and is currently suspended by the governor.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. You can visit counton2.com for updates and the outcome of Tuesday’s race.