Filing opens for four Aiken City Council seats

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — Four seats on Aiken City Council are up for election this year.
Candidate filing opened today at noon.

The seats up for grabs include Districts 2, 4, 5 and 6. “That’s the one thing people around Aiken complain about the most is, ‘well, this person got elected or this person didn’t get elected. So people don’t get out and vote. And that’s what they have to do. They have to get out and vote,” Aiken Republican Party Chair Debbie Epling.

Two of those seats are open — Andrea Gregory in District 5 and Ed Woltz in District 6 aren’t seeking re-election. District 2, currently held by Lessie Price and District 4, represented by Ed Girardeau, are also on the ballot. “I’m hoping we can get people that want Aiken to be the best it can be,” she said. “Aiken has had a little bit of a turbulent time over the last few years and it’s time for us to settle down and get about the work that needs to be done to make an Aiken as great as it can be.”

People here say their top concerns include the water system, infrastructure, and growth. “We need to take care of the city of Aiken financially and make sure that we’re okay that way so that we do have the resources to work and improve the infrastructure that we have,” Epling added.

Candidates must file a Statement of Intention form — either notarized or signed in front of an election official. Party candidates file at local HQs. Petition candidates have until August 21 and need signatures from 5% of active voters in the district. “Then once the primary is over, that is when the party gets behind the candidate.”

Election officials say voter turnout in city primaries typically hovers around 8 to 10 percent.
And for anyone still on the fence about running— “There is nothing better than serving your community and however you can do it in the best way you can do it.”

Primaries are scheduled for August 12, with runoffs, if necessary, on August 26.
The general election will be November 4.