West Columbia District 7 City Councilwoman Erin Porter will resign from city council effective July 7, 2023, as she is moving away from her District. A special election will be held in conjunction with the general election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, to fill her seat (Filing and voting information is listed below).  

Councilwoman Erin Porter has served West Columbia District 7 since 2017. She is a founding member of the Saluda Gardens Neighborhood Association. She has provided excellent guidance and insight on utility projects, such as the water line replacement project currently taking place in Saluda Gardens and the surrounding area. While in office, she has also been instrumental in the addition of paramedics to the West Columbia Fire Department.

Mayor Tem Miles stated, “The City has benefitted greatly from Councilmember Porter’s service over the past 6 years. Her knowledge as an engineer has helped with many of the considerations and projects we have worked on. She will be greatly missed and we wish her the best.”

Councilwoman Erin Porter said, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the City of West Columbia on council and the residents of District 7. Many projects have been completed over the years from events, economic development, revitalization, parks and recreation, and planning while providing excellent essential services through utilities, sanitation, police, and fire. I am especially proud of our dedicated city staff and the expansion of our Capital Improvements Plan, prioritizing the investments to our water and wastewater distribution systems.“

The official public notice for the Special and General elections will be posted on the City of West Columbia’s website in August 2023.  The special and general election information is as follows:

A General Election for the City of West Columbia will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Any person wishing to register to vote in this Election must do so no later than midnight Saturday, October 7, 2023.  Voter registration by mail applications will be accepted if postmarked by Monday, October 9, 2023.  The Lexington County Office will be open for Early Voting beginning October 23, 2023, through November 3, 2023, from 8:30 AM  until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (closed Saturday and Sunday). 

The following offices shall be included in this Election:

• Mayor                                    
• City Council Dist #02
• City Council Dist #04
• City Council Dist #06
• City Council Dist #08  

Candidate Filing Period:

Filing Opens: 12:00 PM August 16, 2023

Filing Closes: 12:00 PM August 30, 2023

Also during this Election, there is a ‘Special Election’

• City Council Dist #07 – Unexpired Term (Precincts for this election are 41 and 44)

Filing Fees – Checks/Money Order should be made payable to “The City of West Columbia”

• Filing Fee for Mayor – $150
• Filing Fee for City Council- $100
• Filing Fee for Special Election – $100

Candidates must complete a Statement of Candidacy when filing.  A Statement of Economic Interest form and Candidate Campaign Disclosure must be completed ONLINE. For more information contact the State Ethics Commission.  This is a Non-Partisan Election and No-Party Affiliation shall be placed on the ballot. 

November 7, 2023, at 9:00 AM on the day of the Election, Lexington County Board of Voter Registration and Elections will begin its examination of the absentee ballot return envelopes at the Lexington Voter Registration and Election Office – 605 W. Main Street, Ste C, Lexington, SC 29072.

On Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 9:00 AM, the Lexington County Board of Canvassers will hold a hearing to determine the validity of all provisional ballots cast in the Election at the Lexington County Voter Registration & Election Office- 605 W. Main Street, Ste C, Lexington, SC 29072.

The following precincts and polling places will be open during this Election from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM:

Lexington County Precincts                                       Polling Place