All three communities in the upstate will have candidates on the ballot for mayor and council seats.

In Simpsonville there are three candidates vying for the position of mayor. Incumbent Paul Shewmaker is being challenged by former mayor Janice Curtis who was defeated 4 years ago by Shewmaker. King Tut Grill Restaurant owner Warner Bouzek has also entered the field for Mayor.

There are three candidates running for the open seat in ward one. Erin Medlin, Chad O'Rear, and Skip Strong. Ward one seat became open when current council member Matthew Gooch decided not to seek a fourth term. With three candidates on the ballot a run-off may be necessary. That election would be on November 21.

Another open seat is the Simpsonville ward five seat. Jermaine Smith has registered to run along with Tim Pinkerton.

In Ward 3 Shannon Williams is the only candidate on the ballot. South Carolina law requires her name to be placed on the ballot even though she has no competition for the seat. Ballots that are prepared by the voter registration and elections office always include an option for a write-in candidate.

In Fountain Inn, Mayor GP McLeer is running unopposed as is Ward 2 incumbent Jay Thomason and Ward 4 incumbent Phillip Clemmer.

The only race in Fountain Inn that has competition is the incumbent Mack Blackstone who's being challenged by Bill Smith for the Ward 6 seat.

Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt is running unopposed for his second term. Carol King Seat 2 incumbent and Michael Reynolds Seat 4 incumbent have no challengers on the ballot.

Seat 6 candidate Mark Steenback is seeking his first term. Former councilman Dale black has begun a campaign to run as a write-in.

Write-in Votes

Copied from “scvotes.gov” under “How to Vote” instructions:

Casting a write-in vote on a touchscreen voting machine:

A candidate's name may be written in by touching the "write-in" space under the appropriate office.  When the "write-in" space is touched, a "write-in" screen appears featuring a touchscreen keyboard.  The voter types the name of the candidate using the keyboard and presses "accept" when finished.  When accept is touched, the screen returns to the ballot, and the candidate's name that was entered will appear under the appropriate office, and will appear on the printed ballot for the voter to verify.

There are a few days left for early voting.

Beginning Monday, October 23-November 3, 2023

Monday – Friday, Closed Saturday, 

Sunday, and Holidays - 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Greenville County Square, Entrance off Howe St. Follow Early Voting Signs

(Voting will be in the old building)

City of Greenville Public Works 475 Fairforest Way Greenville, SC 29607.

In person voting will take place on November 7th, 2023. Polls open at 7 am and close at 7 pm.■