Voter registration deadline today

AIKEN --- Today is the postmark deadline for voter registration applications to be mailed in to Aiken County's Registration and Elections office for the District 5 race.

Republican candidates L.J. "Larry" Murphy, Barry Baggott, Sandy Haskell and former Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek, who moved to Aiken County, are running for the council's District 5 seat being vacated by Eddie Butler, who is resigning Nov. 3 because he plans to move out of that district.

Democrats Judy Hamilton and James W. Richardson, both of Belvedere, also have filed to run. Stuart Bedenbaugh, the executive director of Aiken County Registration and Elections, said that voters do not have to declare party affiliation when registering.

Friday was the walk-in deadline for voter registration in the District 5 race. To obtain a voter registration application today for mailing, Mr. Bedenbaugh said to visit www.scvotes.org, then move the arrow over the "Voters" tab to the left and then click on "Register to Vote."

District 5 includes a portion of the Five Notch Road area in North Augusta, part of Belvedere and also the Ascauga Lake Road corridor, Mr. Bedenbaugh said.

The Republican and Democrat primaries for the District 5 race are Sept. 15. Should a runoff be necessary, it would be Sept. 29.

A Republican primary for some Aiken City Council races -- including two at-large posts and a District 4 seat -- will be Sept. 8. There will be no Democratic primary for city council because the only Democrat to file was incumbent District 2 Councilwoman Lessie Price.

Those running for the two at-large seats are incumbent Don Wells, Kent Cubbage, Steve Homoki and Liz Stewart. Allen Brodie and Reggie Ebner filed to run for the District 4 seat, which is being vacated by Richard Smith. The other at-large seat is held by Jane Vaughters, who is not seeking re-election.

The deadline for filing for city council races has passed, Mr. Bedenbaugh said. Anyone with questions about the upcoming elections can call the registration and elections office at (803) 642-2028. The office, at 916 Vaucluse Road, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.