The city of Clemson has voted to move city elections from even to odd years after being essentially forced to by the state of South Carolina.

The state’s new election reform law that passed last spring requires municipalities to run their elections on a separate ballot with separate poll workers than state and county elections.

The new procedures will increase the costs to the city for running elections; however, if the city keeps elections on even years, at the same time as state and federal elections, costs will skyrocket. 

The number of poll workers, an already scarce resource according to Amy Sams, executive director of the department of voter registration and election, will double, with the city being required to hire them themselves if they stay in even years.

“I feel like we’re being forced,” City Council member John Fulmer said, expressing the common sentiment of the council. “I’m worried that 1,200 people could end up deciding things for the whole city, and you don’t want that.”

Every city council member, including the mayor, has expressed concern about reducing voter turnout, especially in lower-income and minority communities.

However, the City Council feels that with the new law, the only practical option is to move elections to odd years as with most municipalities in the state, at least until the law is changed.

One decision for the city does remain.

With council members currently serving four-year terms that end in even years, the terms of those currently serving will either have to shorten their terms to three years or extend them to five years to bring them into line with odd-year elections.

The council is roughly evenly divided on the issue. 

Those who are advocating reductions to three years acknowledge that the people elected them for four years or less. Those in favor of extending to five are advocating for a longer period for the community to get used to the idea of and ready for odd-year elections, hopefully lessening the turnout decline.

The council wants to hear the public’s opinions on what to do. They are working on setting up a public meeting before an upcoming city council meeting and encourage citizens to express their views during conversations with the council or during the public session of every council meeting.

The Pickens County Election Board needs an official decision from the city about whether they are holding an election this fall if they choose to shorten terms by March 15.