Hilton Head IslandNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hilton Head Island Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 10 candidates running. Updated Oct 6, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day (Nov 3): 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 Hilton Head Island house pay?A Hilton Head Island house at the typical market value ($687,400) pays about $7,700 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 elect the mayor citywide and each of three council members from their own ward; Wards 1, 3 and 6 are not on this ballot.

Election Day · Nov 3

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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 1
  • State House of RepresentativesDistrict 123
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

01Borrowing and the budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil approved a $35 million general obligation bond in December 2025 and adopted the FY2027 budget in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council sets future budgets, property tax levies and any further borrowing.

02Tourism marketing and accommodations tax2 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil adopted the FY27 marketing plan of the Town's destination marketing organization 5-1 in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council approves each year's marketing plan and accommodations tax grants.

03Workforce housing2 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil changed zoning in early 2026 to allow workforce housing near Hilton Head Medical Center.

What's on the tableThe next council decides further land use rules for workforce housing projects.

04Roads and the county transportation sales tax1 sourced fact

Where it standsCouncil approved a project list for a possible Beaufort County transportation sales tax referendum in March 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council works with the county on which Hilton Head projects get funded.

1 note on these statements

Skip Hoagland filed for mayor but withdrew on September 1, 2026; the county elections director said his name will not appear on the ballot. Island Packet · Sep 3, 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 much should the Town borrow for capital projects such as a new Fire Rescue headquarters and land conservation?

  2. 2. How should the Town handle the marketing plan of its destination marketing organization?

  3. 3. What should the Town do about local property taxes for older residents?

  4. 4. How should the Town approach law enforcement presence on the island?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.New · How Hilton Head Island is runWho runs Hilton Head Island, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.Your houseA Hilton Head Island house at the typical market value ($687,400) pays about $7,700 a yearProperty tax, water, trash and energy, line by line for your address, plus the savings most owners miss.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Alex Brown, Steve DeSimone, Melinda Tunner4 on this ballot

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

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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