HORRY COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Horry County’s Administration Committee decided they will positively recommend a proposal to take over Surfside Beach’s town elections to county council.
If Horry County Council passes the ordinance, the Horry County Elections Commission would handle all aspects of elections in Surfside Beach, from tallying ballots to filing candidates.
The date for elections in Surfside would also change from April to November, coinciding with the county’s schedule, but that is the only element that woud impact Surfside voters.
Surfside’s Town Clerk, Debra Herrman says they want Horry County to take over their elections because of past issues with their own election commission.
“The town is very small. We have asked for alternates to serve on the election commission because currently we have three member commission, which is what the code requires, and it has been difficult to get people to volunteer. For the last two election cycles we have had only two serving commissioners because one of the commissioners had to recuse because their spouse was a candidate, so it just makes it difficult to get a commission that can work effectively if you don’t have all of the members present,” Herrman said.
The election ordinance must pass three readings at Horry County Council to go in effect. Staff hopes to present first reading to council at the March 5th meeting.