Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
On January 23, a special election will be held to fill an empty seat on the Allendale Town Council for the remainder of the seat’s term.
The seat is empty due to the conviction of former town councilman Earl Morell Jr., who was suspended in October 2022 by Governor Henry McMaster and pleaded guilty on October 23 for sexually assaulting a minor in March 2021. He was sentenced to five years, suspended to two years plus three years' probation.
The time period for candidates to file for the election began on November 10 and ends on November 20 at 12 p.m. The election will fill the council’s sixth empty seat, however, the town council’s structure is still unbalanced. In 2022, the town council elected Dawan “Pookie” Smith as presiding officer following council members’ criticisms of mayor James Cohen’s conduct during meetings. Smith was re-appointed as presiding officer in August 2023.
The early voting period for the election will begin on January 8, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. and end on November 20 at 12 p.m. Unlike the Allendale County Council, which elects council members based on precincts, the Allendale Town Council members are at-large, meaning that they represent the entire town of Allendale.
