SumterNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Sumter City Council Election 2026

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

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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.

The candidates

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

Wards 1, 3 and 5 are on the ballot; the mayor and the Ward 2, 4 and 6 seats are not. Sumter holds its municipal elections without party labels.

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 5 (68% of Sumter residents) · District 6 (33%)
  • State House of RepresentativesDistrict 51 (52% of Sumter residents) · District 67 (48%)
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

01Pause on major residential subdivisions3 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil gave final approval to Ordinance 2899, a temporary moratorium on major residential subdivision applications, on January 20, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether and how major residential subdivisions are reviewed under the city's zoning rules and the proposed Unified Development Ordinance.

02Rezoning requests3 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil has been acting on rezoning requests, including a 31.34-acre change from Residential-6 to Residential-9 at 685 Deschamps Road.

What's on the tableWhich rezoning requests for housing and commercial use the next council approves.

  • On December 2, 2025, council approved final reading of Ordinance Number 2896 rezoning about 31.34 acres at 685 Deschamps Road from Residential-6 to Residential-9, 5-0. City of Sumter · Dec 2, 2025
  • On December 2, 2025, council approved final reading of Ordinance Number 2895 rezoning three parcels at 100 East Liberty Street from General Commercial to Central Business District, 6-0. City of Sumter · Dec 2, 2025
  • The City said council approved the final reading of a rezoning at 609 West Oakland Avenue from Residential-6 to Planned Development in June 2026. City of Sumter · Jun 17, 2026
03Budget, millage and starting pay3 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil approved the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city sets its millage rate and funds police, fire, sanitation, parks and infrastructure in the next budget.

04Water and sewer infrastructure3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe City reports a downtown water line replacement project under way, with completion targeted for fall 2026.

What's on the tableWhich water, sewer and stormwater contracts and projects the council approves next.

2 notes on these statements

Calvin K. Hastie Sr. and Colin C. Davis appear on The Sumter Item's list of unopposed candidates for Wards 3 and 5. The Sumter Item · Sep 26, 2026

Filing for the nonpartisan municipal election covered Wards 1, 3 and 5. The Sumter Item · Jul 15, 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 city handle new major residential subdivisions?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.New · How Sumter is runWho runs Sumter, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): James B. Blassingame, Rebecca Lynn Kennedy, David P. Merchant, Gifford M. Shaw3 on this ballot

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

  • Sumter is governed under the Council-Manager form of government. City of Sumter
  • The Mayor is elected at-large, with six Council members elected from individual wards. City of Sumter
  • Council members serve four-year terms so as to stagger elections, with three members elected every four years. City of Sumter
  • The January 6, 2026 minutes record a 7-0 vote with the mayor and all six ward members present. City of Sumter · Jan 6, 2026
  • Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, except the first Tuesday in July. City of Sumter

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