DI/Cainhoy voters to head back to the polls Nov. 17

 In the words of one attendee at last week’s election certification session at the Charleston County Board of Elections office in North Charleston, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Daniel Island and Cainhoy area voters in the City of Charleston will head back to the polls on Tuesday, November 17, for a run-off election in the Mayoral and City Council District 1 races. Mayoral Candidates John Tecklenburg and Leon Stavrinakis, the top two vote getters citywide in the November 3 election, will square off for the chance to take the helm from outgoing Mayor Joe Riley. Tecklenburg received 35.60 percent of the vote last Tuesday compared to Stavrinakis’s 34.52 percent. State law dictates that a candidate must receive 50 percent of the vote, plus one vote, to be declared the winner of a race, thus the need for the run-off. Tecklenburg won in all Daniel Island/Cainhoy area precincts except one, Cainhoy, where Maurice Washington prevailed as the winner.

The City Council District 1 race between incumbent Gary White and Shawn Pinkston, both Daniel Island residents, was much closer. When all votes were counted, Pinkston squeaked in at the top, a mere eight votes ahead of White. Overall, Pinkston earned 49.95 percent of the vote and White captured 49.58 percent (write-in candidates took .46 percent). Both candidates report they are ready for the run-off.

“It was democracy in action,” said Pinkston, when asked about the close vote in Tuesday’s election. “…I prevailed in this election and the voters had an opportunity to speak and every vote was counted. I came out on top. It goes to show that every vote matters…Everyone agrees it’s time for new leadership, and the voters agree it’s time for new leadership. They just need to come out again and make their voice heard one more time.”

“First, we’re excited that the process worked,” said White. “I can tell you that my supporters are elated over the chance to come back out and support me and send me back to City Hall for another four years. I have been overwhelmed with the number of people who have reached out to me via Facebook posts, texts, emails…They’re excited and as engaged as they ever have been.”

Pinkston has stated throughout his campaign that he feels the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area needs a Councilman who is “active and engaged in the community,” adding that if elected he will make the island’s need for a new indoor community recreation center a top priority. From serving in the U.S. Army to coaching Little League, Pinkston said his passion for service and giving back is what sets his campaign apart.

“When you look back over the past eight years, there has not been a fighter at City Hall that is willing to put leadership and service to our community above all else,” added Pinkston, who said he and his team have knocked on about 1600 doors throughout his campaign. “As your next City Council member, my focus will be on fulfilling the promises the City made to Daniel Island, dealing with traffic congestion throughout the city, responsibly managing development, and being a forceful advocate for all residents of District 1.”

White cites his “proven track record,” his experience as a “trusted leader,” and his established relationships at the city level as reasons voters should support him at the polls. He also stated that he has been working diligently on issues pertinent to this community throughout his time on Council and plans to continue to advocate for his constituents if elected. In a recent post on his campaign Facebook page, he noted that a contract with an architectural group to complete the initial site design and programmatic renderings for a new indoor recreation and community center has been executed by the city.

“Those who have worked with me know how engaged I am in the community, and how hard I work every day for every part of my district,” he said. “For those who aren’t aware, they will be by November 17.”

Pinkston has been endorsed by the Post and Courier, the Charleston City Paper, and Senator Larry Grooms. White has received an endorsement from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and is a recommended candidate by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. On Monday White also received endorsements from City of Charleston Councilmembers Marvin Wagner, P. Keith Waring, Michael Seekings, Aubry Alexander, Bill Moody and Kathleen Wilson.

Breaking down the vote

While White won in the district’s downtown precincts with 57.86 percent of the votes compared to Pinkston’s 42.13 percent, Pinkston led on Daniel Island with 53.24 percent. White led overall in the Cainhoy area precincts (Cainhoy, Yellow House and the Village) with 94 votes over Pinkston’s 78.

A vote certification session was held on November 5 by the Municipal Election Commission for the City of Charleston to consider some 100 provisional ballots cast in the November 3 election. A total of 57 ballots citywide were counted of that total, including one additional vote for Pinkston. According to Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration staff members, the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area had just three provisional ballots submitted overall.

White stated last Friday that there was a bit of confusion on election day for some off-island voters who were turned away at the polls because their names could not be found in registration records. A couple from The Peninsula neighborhood off Clements Ferry Road showed up at the election certification session last week to tell Commission members that they first went to vote at their normal polling site, St. Paul Baptist Church, but were informed that they would need to vote at Daniel Island School. Once there, they said they were told by a poll worker that they were not listed as registered voters in the system. As a result, they were unable to cast their ballots (it was ultimately determined they were registered in the wrong precinct and will be allowed to vote in the next election).

“I was a little distraught that a lot of the Cainhoy area residents weren’t sure where to go,” added White. “…We did a lot of work throughout the day trying to make sure people who lived in the area knew how to make sure they could vote. It was confusing and disappointing, but hopefully for the run-off it will be fine.”

Pinkston said he spoke about the issue of voter confusion at last week’s meeting of the Municipal Election Commission and was assured by board members that they would look into it. In some cases, he added, residents who went to vote on November 3 were told they were not registered and were not given an opportunity to cast a provisional ballot.

“Election officials and city attorneys have informed me that poll workers will allow provisional ballots to be cast in the run-off,” Pinkston said. “Every vote matters and everyone’s voice ought to be heard. I understand the frustration of those who were disenfranchised and am glad this issue has been addressed prior to the run-off. For those who were turned away, please gather any and all paperwork proving you are a resident of Charleston and bring it with you to the polls.”

The average voter turnout on November 3 for Daniel Island and Cainhoy area precincts combined was close to 25 percent. Anyone with questions about the upcoming run-off election can visit the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Elections website at https://www.berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/voters or call (843) 723-3800 ext. 4056.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

Breaking News Alerts

To sign up for breaking news email alerts, Click on the email address below and put "email alerts" in the subject line: sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com

Comment Here