Latest / Saluda County Unplugged / County Updates - October 29th, 2026
Transcript
- Josh Morton: We've got a few dates you'll want on your calendar this week. One for folks thinking about serving on county council. One for getting out to vote. And one for anybody with a costume and a serious interest in candy. So me and Josh. Plus a reminder about the penny sales tax question on your ballot. And a look ahead to Christmas in the town of Saluda. It's a county update right here on Saluda County Unplugged. Welcome back to Saluda County Unplugged, where we shine a light on Saluda County government. I'm Rachel. And I'm Josh. We're keeping things a little shorter this week, but we've got several updates worth taking a few minutes to talk through. There's a candidate filing period opening, an election coming up on Tuesday, and a chance for families to spend some time together Saturday evening. Now before we get into the election information, we do want to take a moment to once again acknowledge Councilman Jack Atkinson's passing and his service to Saluda County. Our thoughts remain with his family and everyone who knew and served alongside him. The County Council seat for District 2 became vacant following Councilman Atkinson's death. The process to fill that seat begins Friday, October 30th when candidate filing opens at noon. Filing remains open until noon on Friday, November the sixth. If you've been considering running for a seat, those are the dates to put on your calendar. And pay attention to the time. The deadline is noon on November 6th, so don't plan around having until the end of the workday. For filing instructions, required paperwork, and questions about eligibility, contact the Saluda County Voter Registration and Elections Office. Their office is at forty three ninety Batesburg Highway. They'll be able to walk prospective candidates through what they need to do. Now, with the general election coming up next Tuesday, it's easy for these dates to start running together. to fill the District 2 vacancy will operate on its own schedule. Friday's opening is for candidates to begin filing. The primary in that election is scheduled for January the 26th, 2027. If a runoff is needed, that is scheduled for February the 9th. The special election itself will be held on April the 6th of 2027. So what's happening right now is candidate filing. Voters will make their choices in that process next year. And we will share reminders as those elections get closer, including the early voting information for each of them. And if you live in district two and aren't sure about your registration or which council district you're in, this is a good opportunity to check with the elections office. Turning our attention to the election that's almost here, the general election is Tuesday, November the third. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Before you head out to vote, you can visit scvotes.gov to look up your assigned polling place and to see your sample ballot. Be sure to give yourself a few minutes to read it beforehand, especially the referendum language. You'll have time to think through the questions before you're standing at the voting machine. Also, don't forget to bring an accepted photo ID with you. And if you have any questions about the ID requirements or need help preparing to vote, scvotes.gov and the Saluda County Elections Office are the places to start. If Tuesday is going to be difficult, there's still time to vote early. Early voting continues through Saturday, October thirty first, from eight thirty AM to six PM. Saluda County's early voting location is the Voter Registration and Elections Office at 4390 Batesburg Highway. One practical detail. The early voting location and your assigned election day polling place are different. If you're voting on Tuesday, be sure to check where you're supposed to go rather than heading to the voter registration office. And take a moment to thank the folks that are working in the polls. There's a lot of preparation behind making it possible for all of us to walk in and cast a ballot. While you're looking at that sample ballot, you'll also see the capital project sales tax question. Last week we talked with Ricky Bailey, who chaired the committee that selected and prioritized the proposed projects. If you haven't heard that conversation, it's a useful companion to reading the ballot. We covered the committee's work. Projects and the safeguards governing how the money can be spent. One point we've tried to keep clear is that this proposal would renew the existing one cent sales tax. It would not add another penny on top of the one we're paying now. The question is whether the voters want to continue that penny for another round of projects. Those projects are proposed and voters will decide whether the renewal moves forward. Take a little time with the full question and the project list as you make your decision. Now let's move from ballots to candy. The Saluda County Sheriff's Office is holding its annual trunk or treat event this Saturday, October 31st, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Saluda County Recreation Department located at 4454 Batesburg Highway. If you're making plans with the kids, put the time and the address on your list. It's a chance to get those costumes out and enjoy an evening with other members of the community. And a quick reminder for everybody driving Saturday evening, slow down and keep an eye out for children, especially near parked cars and places where families are gathering. Kids can be excited, distracted, and a little harder to see once it gets dark. If you're walking with children, help them cross carefully and make sure they can see clearly through whatever costume they've chosen. A flashlight or something reflective can help other people see them too. And these are small things that help everyone have a better and safe evening. We appreciate the sheriff's office and everyone who helped put this event together. Again, this is happening from 6 PM to 8 PM Saturday evening at the Recreation Department located at 4454 Batesburg Highway. Looking a little farther ahead and towards my favorite time of the year, the town of Saluda is preparing for its Christmas tree lighting and Christmas parade. The tree lighting will be Saturday, november twenty first at four thirty PM on the Courthouse Square. It's a chance to gather downtown and enjoy the start of the Christmas season together. The Christmas parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th at 3 p.m. This year's theme is classic Christmas movies, so there's plenty of room for some familiar characters and a little creativity. If your church, business, club, or community group would like to participate, registration forms must be submitted to Town Hall by November the 22nd. The town's Facebook announcement includes a link to the form, or you can contact Town Hall at 864-445-250. 3522 for more information. whether you're putting an entry together or just planning to watch, December 5th is a date to save. And yes, we are talking about Christmas before Halloween. At least this gives everyone a little bit of time to plan. After the Halloween activities, there's one more weekend reminder. Daylight savings time ends Sunday, November first at two AM. We fall back one hour, so you get an extra hour of sleep. Your phone will probably handle that on its own, but you may still have a few clocks around the house that might need your attention. And if you've got somewhere to be Sunday morning, it's worth checking them before you go to bed. I fully expect that the stove and the microwave will disagree for at least a day, maybe two. But before we go, here's the calendar one more time. Candidate filing for the District 2 council seat opens at noon on Friday, October 30th, and closes at noon on Friday, November the 6th. The Sheriff's Office Trunk Retreat is Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting also ends on Saturday with hours of 8 30 a.m. to 6 p.m. And the general election is coming up on Tuesday, November 3rd, with polls open from 7 AM to 7 p.m. For your sample ballot and polling place information, visit SC Votes.gov. And for the council vacancy, remember that the primary and special election take place next year. We'll keep those dates in front of you as they get closer. Have questions or an idea for an upcoming episode? Email us at publicinfo at salutacounty.sc.gov. And parents, don't forget to charge the candy tax this weekend. We'll see you next time on Saluda County Unplugged.