These candidates are running for Rock Hill’s three ward races in February. What to know
Rock Hill’s delayed ward elections are now less than two months away.
The city will hold elections for Wards 4, 5 and 6 on Feb. 8. Filing for the three seats closed on Dec. 10.
Council voted several months ago to delay the ward races until city officials were able to redraw its six voting districts, which is required every 10 years based on updated U.S. Census Bureau information. The city held its mayoral race as scheduled in October.
Last month, Rock Hill adopted a new ward map based on 2020 census data. Now, six candidates are vying for three seats. Just one incumbent is running unopposed.
Here are the candidates on the ballot:
Ward 4
Incumbent John Black, who held his seat for longer than a decade, filed to run for reelection.
Newcomer Maggie Schwietert, a self-described “straight shooter,” is running against Black.
Ward 5
Incumbent Nikita Jackson, who was first elected in 2017, is facing two challengers.
Youth football coach Perry Sutton has filed to run. Newcomer Kenneth Harris also is running for the seat.
Ward 6
Incumbent Jim Reno, who has been on council for more than 20 years, is running unopposed.
Changes to city’s wards
After the city finalized a redistricted elections map, dozens of Rock Hill residents may need to vote in new wards.
The city’s map did not undergo “too many changes,” but a handful of residents were moved to different wards in an attempt to balance the six voting districts after Rock Hill’s significant population growth, city officials said last month.
Over the last decade, Rock Hill’s population grew to over 74,400 people and officials aimed to include about 12,400 residents per ward.
Ward 4, which includes the airport and the northwestern part of the city, resulted in the highest population with 12,537 people.
Ward 5, which includes East Main Street and the southern part of the city, has the next-highest with 12,517 people. The ward, which is made up of about 66% Blacks, also has the highest minority population, according to the map.
And Ward 6, which includes Winthrop University and extends past Interstate 77 up to the Catawba River, has 12,471 residents.
Residents can find more ward information on the city’s website.
Those who are eligible to vote in the city’s upcoming elections must be registered 30 days prior to election day to vote. A runoff will be held on Feb. 22, if needed.
