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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Clemson City Council Election 2026

3 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 6, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Early voting ends (Oct 31): 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.

Your houseWhat does your Clemson house pay?A Clemson house at the typical market value ($398,400) pays about $7,600 a year. Enter your address for your own number: property tax from the county's record, water, trash and energy, and the money dates ahead.

The candidates

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

Voters citywide choose three council members. The mayor and three other council members are not on the ballot.

Early voting ends · Oct 31

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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.

  • Governor
    • Michael Addison · United Citizens
    • Walid Hakim · Green
    • Alan Wilson · Republican
    • Jermaine Johnson · Democratic
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • U.S. Senate
    • Darline Graham · Republican
    • Kasie Whitener · Libertarian
    • Annie Andrews · Democratic
    • Mark Hackett · Constitution
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • Also statewideSecretary of State · State Treasurer · Attorney General · Comptroller General · State Superintendent of Education · Commissioner of Agriculture
  • U.S. HouseDistrict 3
  • State House of RepresentativesDistrict 3
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.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Planned developments and rezoning3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council rejected second reading of a planned development at 201 Pine Street 3-4 in June 2026 and approved second reading of one at 1310 Tiger Blvd in July.

What's on the tableWhether and how to approve planned developments and rezonings, including neighborhood protections such as a conservation overlay.

02Student and middle housing3 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates disagree about whether the city needs more student housing, and council took up middle housing standards in July 2026.

What's on the tableWhere student and other housing may be built and what standards apply.

03Traffic and parking2 sourced facts

Where it standsTraffic and parking were the topic of multiple questions at the October 1 candidate forum.

What's on the tableHow the city works with SCDOT and Clemson University on traffic, parking and long-term transportation planning.

  • Candidates were asked what measures they would take on traffic and parking and whether they have a plan for working with SCDOT. The Journal
  • Councilwoman Alesia Smith said the council meets quarterly with SCDOT. The Journal
04License plate readers and AI2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city operates nine Flock license plate reading cameras, and candidates were asked about them and about city employees using AI.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, expand or limit license plate reading cameras and what policy governs city use of AI.

  • Councilwoman Alesia Smith said the Clemson Police Department's website has a transparency page for the Flock camera system and the city's nine cameras. The Journal
  • The League of Women Voters forum asked candidates about city employees using AI and the city using license plate readers. The Journal
2 notes on these statements

Joe Burgett did not attend the Oct. 1 League of Women Voters forum and sent a statement that was read aloud. The Journal

Council members John Fulmer and Lillian Scott hold seats that are up for election, and neither is among the five candidates on the ballot. WSNW · Aug 5, 2026

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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. How should the council decide on large planned developments?

  2. 2. What should Clemson do about student housing?

  3. 3. How should the city address traffic and parking?

  4. 4. Should the city keep using license plate reading (Flock) cameras?

  5. 5. Should city employees use AI tools?

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 voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How Clemson is runWho runs Clemson, and what it costsThe city administrator earns $135,000. See council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.Your houseA Clemson house at the typical market value ($398,400) pays about $7,600 a yearProperty tax, water, trash and energy, line by line for your address, plus the savings most owners miss.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Alma Evans, Robert Halfacre, Adam Jones, Windsor Westbrook Sherrill3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

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