‘Remarkable leader’: Betty Whitesides, longtime York elections director, dies at 81
Betty Whitesides, who oversaw the transformation of elections in York County during the electronic age, has died.
Whitesides was 81.
A Clover native, Whitesides was director of the York County Voter Registration and Elections Office for decades. She retired in 2003 having led the office in one of the the fastest growing counties in South Carolina.
Whitesides was instrumental in making sure elections were handled correctly and fairly, said S.C. Rep. Gary Simrill, R- Rock Hill. Whitesides made sure elections were managed and every vote counted, Simrill said.
“Betty Whitesides was a remarkable and trusted leader who handled the massive population growth with ease,” Simrill said. “The voters in York County were indeed fortunate to have her at the helm.”
York County’s population went from less than 100,000 in the early 1970s when Whitesides took over the office to close to a quarter million people when she retired.
The county changed from punch card ballots to computerized voting while she was in office. The office handles elections for York County’s residents choosing presidential candidates all the way down to commissions and boards.
York County spokesperson Trish Startup said Whitesides’ commitment to the public remains a lasting legacy.
“York County is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Betty Whitesides,” Startup said. “Betty was a wonderful person inside and out. She was instrumental in many initiatives that are still ongoing in the York County Voter Registration and Elections Office.”
Whitesides was known for her commitment to voter service. During elections, she often was outside the office assisting elderly voters, or voters with disabilities who needed special care.
Whitesides also earned a reputation for fairness in dealing with candidates and campaigns regardless of political party or belief, said S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York.
“Betty ran a tight ship,” Pope said. “She and her staff worked hard to make sure that everyone, regardless of political affiliation, could have full faith in the outcome of an election in York County, whether we liked the results or not,” Pope said.
Before her retirement, Whitesides was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for public service among elections officials by state officials. And after retirement, she assisted for years as a volunteer during elections at the office.
A funeral is set for 4 p.m. on New Years Day at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Sharon, according to Bratton Funeral Home.
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 9:37 AM.
