Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston County voters decide Nov. 3 whether to renew a half-percent transportation sales tax funding road projects, transit, water quality efforts and the county's greenbelt land-protection program. The greenbelt initiative, the first locally funded program of its kind in South Carolina, has protected more than 29,000 acres over 22 years and leveraged matching state, federal and private funds, including over $2.5 million from the state Conservation Bank for projects near Meggett.

Supporters, including Meggett's mayor and a town councilman, argue the tax curbs sprawl and congestion while protecting farmland, wildlife habitat and waterways, framing it as cheaper than raising property taxes or leaving growth unmanaged.

On Nov. 3, Charleston County voters decide whether to extend, for a six-year term, the existing 1-cent sales tax funding school capital projects, a measure they have approved twice before since 2010. Dorchester County voters will consider adopting the tax for the first time, after a May law change made counties with exactly two school districts eligible. Dorchester Two and Dorchester Four would split revenue 85/15 over up to 15 years. Charleston's extension could generate about $1.25 billion; Dorchester's new tax could raise $688.2 million. Funds must go toward construction, renovations, and debt reduction, not salaries or operations, covering new schools, building replacements, and maintenance across both counties.

Voters in the Mount Pleasant area will decide three South Carolina House races on Election Day, Nov. 3, pitting Republican incumbents against Democratic challengers. In District 80, Rep. Kathy Landing faces firefighter Benjamin Brown, with debate centered on the Highway 41 corridor and flood resilience. In District 110, Rep. Tom Hartnett, co-chair of the Charleston County Flood Task Force, faces marketing executive K.J. Atwood over affordability, traffic, and flooding. In District 112, Rep. Joe Bustos faces nurse and doula Jenna Arsenault, with issues including income taxes, septic systems, and healthcare access. All three districts cover parts of Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, and James Island.

A three-person South Carolina panel held a first-of-its-kind hearing to consider whether Charleston County School Board member Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson should be removed from office by Gov. Henry McMaster. The Sept. 28 session addressed three charges stemming from an August inspector general report: improperly disclosing executive session information, sharing confidential emails with reporters and district vendors, and helping her former campaign manager, Aaron White, secure district work for his nonprofit, Circle of Life.

Dunmeyer-Roberson and attorney Kambrell Garvin argued Inspector General Brian Lamkin lacked sufficient evidence, saying she believed White sought only a volunteer meeting and had no role in the later procurement process. Lamkin countered that her introduction gave the nonprofit an unfair advantage. Garvin conceded she inadvertently forwarded some privileged emails but disputed claims involving a separate address tied to her former consulting firm. Lamkin also declined to confirm whether Dunmeyer-Roberson was the unnamed board member referenced in a related federal indictment against ex-member Kevin Hollinshead.

The panel must recommend action to McMaster by Oct. 5; removal would be the first under South Carolina's 2022 law allowing governors to oust school board members for willful misconduct.

Charleston County School Board member Darlene Roberson will face a hearing Sept. 28 in Columbia, South Carolina, in what officials describe as an unprecedented proceeding that could remove an elected school board member from office. The hearing follows an Aug. 27 Inspector General's report, requested by Gov. Henry McMaster, alleging Roberson wrongfully disclosed confidential information to media and district vendors, used her position for personal gain, and improperly billed the district as a vendor.

McMaster issued an executive order Sept. 1 outlining three charges: conflict of interest for helping her former campaign manager obtain district work, improper disclosure of executive session material, and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Roberson, represented by state Reps. Kambrell Garvin and Todd Rutherford, requested the right to be heard and will present arguments before a three-member panel appointed by McMaster—attorneys Thomas Limehouse Jr., Adair Boroughs, and Clarence Davis—who will determine hearing procedures and ultimately advise on her potential removal from office.

Charleston County's board of voter registration and elections has selected winning designs from its fourth annual "I Voted" sticker contest for K-12 students. Elementary student Emmeline S., middle schooler Adalyn D., and high schooler Katherine C. won in their respective divisions, with their designs to be printed and distributed exclusively to early voters in October.

The contest, run on social media, drew more than 250 submissions this year, a record for the program. County elections staff narrowed the field to 15 finalists — five per grade division — before nearly 4,200 county residents voted to pick the winners. Several designs incorporated local landmarks such as the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and Morris Island Lighthouse. Officials say the initiative, along with a 2024 picture book produced with local libraries, aims to engage young people early in the civic process. Early voting for the statewide general election runs from October 19 to October 31.

Folly Beach City Council voted 4-3 at a Sept. 22 special meeting to authorize its attorney to consent to moving a lawsuit over the island's short-term rental limits directly to the South Carolina Supreme Court, skipping the Court of Appeals. Plaintiffs Elizabeth Spratt Cooper and Park Lane Partners, LLC, requested the transfer on Sept. 18, arguing that because the rental limits were enacted via a 2023 citizen referendum, state rules give the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction over election-related appeals.

The underlying case stems from a 2024 lawsuit challenging the city's rental permit limits. In August, a Charleston County circuit judge ruled the city's rental registration fee an unlawful tax; Folly Beach has since eliminated the fee, though a class action over it has been proposed. The city is appealing the ruling. City Administrator Aaron Pope noted the transfer would speed up resolution and make the ruling final, but would eliminate further appeal options. The Supreme Court must still agree to hear the case, which it may do if the matter involves significant public interest or major legal principles.

A South Carolina Office of Inspector General investigation into the Charleston County School Board has found evidence of "malfeasance, misfeasance, conflicts of interest, policy violations, misconduct in office, and neglect of duty" tied to an unnamed board member referred to as "Trustee X" in the 27-page report released Aug. 27. Gov. Henry McMaster had requested the probe in January, covering the period since November 2022.

The report alleges the trustee wrongfully disclosed confidential information to media and a district vendor, used the position for personal gain, and failed to report roughly $248,000 in taxable income earned as operator of Next Level Educational Services LLC — a company previously linked to board member Darlene Roberson, who confirmed being its CEO but denied conducting business in that role while serving on the board. The report also questioned the trustee's residency eligibility at the time of election.

Recommendations include board ethics training, a forensic audit of vendor payments, and consideration by the governor of removing the trustee. District officials and board chairwoman Pam McKinney called the findings serious and pledged cooperation with authorities.