Deadline for write-in candidates in York County elections is this Friday

Voters who may not feel like they have any options in this fall’s municipal elections may be asked to go to the polls after all.

This Friday is the deadline for all write-in candidates to declare their campaigns with the York County Elections and Voter Registration Office. Anyone hoping to launch a last-ditch candidacy for mayor or council in eight cities and towns will need to formally announce their plans by the end of the day, or some elections may not happen at all.

That’s because in South Carolina, if only one candidate files for a municipal office, officials are allowed to avoid the cost of holding an election and simply deem the candidate elected. A declared write-in candidate is needed for York County to hold a vote in some races on Nov. 3.

If no candidates declare a write-in campaign by the end of the week, there will be no elections for city or town council in Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, Smyrna or York – which each having only enough candidates to fill each available seat – and no mayor’s race in Clover, Hickory Grove, Sharon or Smyrna.

All candidates must declare by 5 p.m. at the election office, 13 S. Congress St., York. For more information, call 803-684-1242 or 803-909-7194.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Deadline for write-in candidates in York County elections is this Friday."