Job description
The City Legislature is the municipality's governing body, responsible for voting on ordinances and policies, and often is in charge of hiring a city manager.
Eligibility requirements
No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in the State unless he is registered to vote in the geographical area represented by the office (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1). A person convicted of a felony or an offense against the election laws is not qualified to file for or hold office, unless it has been fifteen years since the completion of the sentence for the crime or unless the person has been pardoned (S.C. Constitution, Article VI, Section 1). Candidate's qualifications for all offices, are determined at the time of the election and not at the time of filing or nomination. Some individuals may be restricted from running for public office by the federal Hatch Act. The Act applies to federal employees and others receiving federal funds and restricts their participation in campaigns for partisan offices. For detailed information regarding the Hatch Act, visit the website of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Candidates must be 18 years old.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 15 John Galt Road (29906-4290), Post Office Drawer 1228, Beaufort, SC 29901-1228
Filing phone number: 843-255-6900
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Board of Elections' office.
Filing requirements: Citizens who are interested in filing for candidacy may do so in the Records Center at Town Hall, One Town Center Court, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., beginning Monday, August 1, 2016, until 12:00 p.m., Monday, August 15, 2016. The candidacy filing form will be available in the Records Center and is also available on the Town website, www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov. Candidates may either file in person or by agent. If filing in person, candidates must bring a photo ID and wait to sign the Statement of Intention of Candidacy Nonpartisan Form before a Town employee. If filing by agent, the Statement of Candidacy form must be notarized in advance. The filing fee is $35.00 and may be paid by cash, credit card, or check made payable to Town of Hilton Head Island. All candidates must be registered to vote in the Town of Hilton Head Island. Candidates may run for Town Council for the ward in which they reside. Each candidate must file a SC State Ethics Commission Statement of Economic Interests form by using the electronic filing system at http://ethics.sc.gov. This is a nonpartisan election and no party affiliation shall be placed on the ballot. All filing questions can be directed to the Town's Records Administrator at 843-341-4604. All election questions can be directed to Beaufort County Election Office at 843-255-6900.