COLUMBIA, S.C. — Local tax questions will sit under the candidate races on Nov. 3 ballots in 23 South Carolina counties, asking voters whether to approve penny sales taxes and related borrowing for schools, detention centers and other capital work.
A simple majority is enough to pass each measure. Union County wants a special 1 percent sales and use levy for as long as 15 years to bankroll education building upgrades at eight campuses and related sites. Chesterfield County is seeking a 1 percent sales tax lasting as long as eight years to collect $50 million toward a new jail, along with authority to sell general obligation bonds up to that same figure.
Chester County wants to keep its current 1-cent capital project sales tax rolling past the planned 2028 sunset through April 30, 2035, and to sell bonds totaling about $35.53 million for parks, firehouses, cameras and similar projects. When sales receipts do not cover bond payments, counties can turn to property taxes to close the gap.
More than 20 additional counties carry their own local questions this cycle. Sample ballots are available through the South Carolina Election Commission, and county registration offices handle address-specific lookups.
Voter registration for this cycle closed Sunday, Oct. 2. In-person advance voting runs from Monday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 31, ending at 6 p.m., and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.
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Filed under: Irmo SC Politics News
