SimpsonvilleNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Simpsonville Mayor & City Commission Election 2026

5 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
No-excuse early in-person voting begins (Oct 29): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters citywide choose one mayor and may vote for up to four City Commission candidates; the four with the most votes win.

No-excuse early in-person voting begins · Oct 29

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

What the next council decides

01Property tax rate3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission adopted the 2026 property tax rate ordinance, Ordinance 2026-009, by a 5-0 roll call on Sept. 1, 2026.

What's on the tableHow to set the yearly city property tax rate that pays for police, parks, roads and other services.

02Data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission approved Resolution 2026-002 on a data center moratorium on Aug. 18, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether and under what rules the city would accept a data center after the moratorium.

03Growth and planning2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn August 2026 the commission approved Comprehensive Plan text amendments and let Triple S Planning & Zoning proceed with the process.

What's on the tableHow closely new rezonings and development must follow the city's comprehensive plan.

04New park land3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has new park land that is closed to the public until infrastructure is in place.

What's on the tableHow and when to develop the new park land.

05City budget2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission adopted the 2026-2027 budget, Ordinance 2026-007, by a 5-0 roll call on May 5, 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city spends its general, road and sewer funds each year.

1 note on these statements

The Sentinel-News candidate list marks Ronald L. Sowder Jr., Michael Hesse, Austin Dupre, Scott McDowell and Kelland L. Garland as incumbents; Christopher Ramey and Kesia Hatcher are not incumbents. Sentinel-News

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. Should Simpsonville keep data centers on hold?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 5 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

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