Nov. 5’s mayoral election in Charleston resulted in a runoff, because no candidate got at least 50% of the vote. So, today there will be a runoff election between Mayor John Tecklenburg and Councilman Mike Seekings.
Here’s what you need to know before heading to the polls on Nov. 19:
- You must be registered to vote in the city of Charleston to vote in the runoff. The deadline to register in this election was Oct. 5. If you did not vote on Nov. 5, you can still vote today.
- Your polling place will be the same voting location as it was Nov. 5.
- Use this online tool to check your voting registration status + find your polling location.
Still undecided about who to support? We asked each candidate to tell us, in 100 words or less, about why they’re running for mayor. Read their statements below.
Mayor John Tecklenburg:
“As mayor, I’ve worked every day to put our citizens and neighborhoods first, and to make real, measurable progress on the issues our residents care about most. That progress includes:
○ Implementing the most comprehensive Flooding and Sea Level Rise Strategy in our city’s history.
○ Limiting hotel growth and regulating illegal home rentals to protect our neighborhoods.
○ Securing over $45 million for affordable housing.
○ Balancing tough budgets, with the strongest reserves in city history.
○ Making historic investments in our parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers.
○ Keeping crime low with community policing which ensures all are treated with respect.”
Councilman Mike Seekings:
“I’m running for mayor because Charleston is facing big challenges and the city is missing the leadership needed to protect what makes it special while improving residents’ quality of life.
The current administration claims to have accomplished much regarding flooding, traffic and overdevelopment. But just look around: they are consuming us – while taxes, fees and violent crime are also on the rise.
Charleston is a great city in need of a great mayor who will put residents first, build consensus and get things done. I have the track record to confidently say that’s me.”