Your Guide to the November 2025 Local Elections

November 4, 2025, is a major date for local democracy across the Lowcountry. Several municipalities across our region will hold general elections for city and town councils, and other important local offices. These are the people who make decisions that directly affect your daily life, from zoning and public safety to park maintenance and community development.

Here is a quick look at what's on the ballot, how to run for office, and how you can make your voice heard:

Town of Mount Pleasant

• Full election information 

• Candidate Questionnaire Responses: We asked the 2025 Mount Pleasant Mayoral and Town Council candidates four questions to gauge their views on supporting a thriving, diverse local economy, backing local businesses and entrepreneurs, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. View the results here.

• Roles on the Ballot:

  • Mayor: Incumbent Mayor Will Haynie will face one challenger, Curt Thomas. 

  • 4 Town Council seats: Nine candidates, including incumbents John Iacofano, Gary Santos and Mike Tinkey, are vying for four seats on town council. Newcomers include Alexandra Crosby, nurse anesthetist Jenny DeSart, entrepreneur Brianna Harmon, lifelong resident Perry Rourk, Craig S. Russack and Kathryn Whitaker. The top four vote-getters will win the seats. 

City of Goose Creek:

• Full election information
• Candidate Questionnaire Responses: https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/news/city-of-goose-creek-council-candidate-questionnaires

• Roles on the Ballot:

  • 3 City Council seats

    • Candidates include Yajaira Bess, Ingrid Centurion, Melissa Enos-Sims(i), Mike Ivy, Corey McClary, Gayla McSwain(i), Shane Reid and Jarek S. Riscart

Town of James Island

• Full election information
• Candidate Questionnaire Responses: https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/news/town-of-james-island-council-candidate-questionnaires
• Roles on the Ballot
  • 2 Town Council seats
    • Candidates include Julia Drayton-Crumblin; Stanley Kozikowski; Kristen Meredith Poston; Michael O'Shaughnessy Williams 
      
      

City of Charleston 

• Full election information
• Candidate Questionnaire Responses: https://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/news/city-of-charleston-council-candidate-questionnaires

• Roles on the Ballot:

  • 6 City Council seats (Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12)

  • Commissioner of Public Works

• Updates on Candidates via Charleston City Paper:
  
  • • District 2:  Incumbent and insurance agent Kevin Shealy will face political newcomer Abraham D. Champagne in this seat that represents voters in West Ashley.

    • District 4: Longtime incumbent Robert Mitchell will face three challengers: creator/futurist Suzanne Allen, nonprofit executive Aaron Polkey and past candidate Luqman S. Rasheed in this peninsular seat that includes Charleston Neck neighborhoods and the Eastside.

    • District 6: Veteran incumbent William Dudley Gregorie will face Charleston restaurateur Ben D’Allesandro in this Westside district on the Peninsula.  

    • District 10: Incumbent Stephen Bowden will face civil engineer William Connor in West Ashley.

    • District 12:  Three newcomers will face off for the seat — nonprofit CEO Leslie Skardon, marketing professional Deanna Miller and Annette Begner, all of James Island. With the council’s only woman being Parker, the race between the three women ensures at least one woman will be on council after November.

City of Folly Beach

• Full election information
• Roles on the Ballot
  • 3 City Council seats
  • Mayor (see Post and Courier story for latest)

City of Isle of Palms

• Full election information
• Roles on the Ballot:

  • 4 City Council seats

  • Mayor

  • 2 IOP Water & Sewer Commission seats

CANDIDATE FORUMS

Tuesday, 10/7 (6 – 8pm): Mount Pleasant Town Council Candidate Forum
Mt Pleasant Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Ln, Mt Pleasant, SC
Co-sponsors: LWV Charleston and East Cooper Arts Advocates 
 
Thurs, 10/9 (5:30 - 8pm): Charleston City Council Candidate Forum
Circular Congregation Church,150 Meeting St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Co-sponsors: LWV Charleston & The Charleston Chap of The LINKS Inc
Mingle with candidates at 5:30pm before the forum begins at 6pm. Moderator: Raphael James
 
Mon, 10/13 (6 - 7:45pm): Isle of Palms City Council Candidate Forum
IOP Exchange Club, 201 Palm Blvd, Isle of Palms, SC, 29451
Sponsored by League of Women Voters Charleston 
 
Weds, 10/15 (6-7:45): Folly Beach City Council Candidate Forum
Tides Folly Beach, 1 Center St, Folly Beach, SC, 29439
Co- sponsored by LWV Charleston and Folly Beach Civic Club 
Moderator: Carolyn Murray, co-anchor, Count on News 2, WCBD-TV
 
Thursday, 10/16 (6 - 7:30pm): Folly Beach Mayor Candidate Forum
Tides Folly Beach, 1 Center St, Folly Beach, SC, 29439
Presented by LWV Charleston and Folly Beach Civic Club 
Moderator: Carolyn Murray, co-anchor, Count on News 2, WCBD-TV
 
Mon, 10/20 (6 – 7pm): James Island City Council Candidate Forum
James Island Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Rd, Charleston, SC, 29412
Sponsored by LWV Charleston 
 
Thursday, 10/23 (6 - 8 p.m.): Mount Pleasant Town Council Candidate Forum
Christ Episcopal Church Mount Pleasant, 2304 N Hwy 17, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Hosted by Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce; RSVP and submit questions in advance online.

Tuesday, 10/28 (6:30 - 7:30): East Cooper Democrats Mt Pleasant Mayor Candidate Discussion
Goodwill Family Life Center, 2818 N. Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC, 29466
Come out & join your fellow East Cooper Dems for our monthly meeting!

Important Voter Information 

Ready to cast your ballot? Here's what you need to know to ensure you're registered and prepared.

• Voter Registration Deadlines:

  • In-person: Friday, October 3, 2025, by 5:00 PM.

  • Online, fax, or email: Sunday, October 5, 2025, by 11:59 PM.

  • By mail: Postmarked by Monday, October 6, 2025.

• How to Register:

  • Online: Visit the South Carolina Election Commission website at scvotes.gov. You must have a valid SC driver's license or ID card.

  • In Person: Visit your county's Board of Voter Registration and Elections office.

  • By Mail: Download a registration form from scvotes.gov and mail it in.

• Early Voting: The early voting period for the November 4, 2025, municipal elections runs from Monday, October 20, 2025, to Friday, October 31, 2025. Hours are typically 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Check with your county's elections office for specific locations.

Your Vote Matters:

Local elections often have the most direct impact on your life. The decisions made by mayors, council members, and commissioners affect the schools your children attend, the quality of your roads, the taxes you pay, and the public services you rely on. By participating in these elections, you are helping to shape the future of your neighborhood and community. Every vote counts, and your voice is a critical part of the democratic process.  

Other municipal elections:

• Full Berkeley County election information
• Awendaw: Filing is Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 for mayor and three council seats.
• Hollywood: Filing for three council seats closes Aug. 18.
• Kiawah Island: Filing closes Sept. 2 for mayor and two council seats.
• McClellanville: Filing is open through Aug. 15 for mayor and four seats on town council.
• Seabrook Island: Filing closes Sept. 5 for mayor and four council seats.
• Sullivan’s Island: Filing closes Aug. 21 for mayor and three council seats.