Atlantic Beach Election Turmoil: Councilwoman Carla Taylor Launches Legal Challenge Against Election Commission

Atlantic Beach Election Drama: Carla Taylor Fights Back!

Atlantic Beach, S.C. has found itself in the middle of an election whirlwind as Councilwoman Carla Taylor launches a legal battle to challenge the town’s Election Commission’s recent decision. This whole scenario has the locals buzzing and reinvigorates our memories of the 2023 council elections.

What’s Going On?

Last Monday, Taylor filed an appeal in the Horry County Common Pleas Court after a heated meeting where the Election Commission decided to side with candidate Shaun Swinson. This was a big moment in our small town, as it followed a 2-1 vote that supported Swinson’s protest regarding the election results from nearly a year ago.

To get all the details right, let’s throw it back a little: In April of this year, Swinson put his foot down, challenging the results about 149 days after the polls closed. He claimed that 13 votes had been improperly tossed out because of nonresidents voting in the mayoral race. And of course, that stirred the pot since both the town council and mayoral elections were on the same ballot!

Carla Taylor’s Take

In her appeal, Taylor firmly argues that the Election Commission shouldn’t have accepted Swinson’s protest at all. Why? Because he didn’t file within the 48-hour window following the election. South Carolina law is pretty clear about these time limits, which are designed to keep things smooth and orderly.

But wait, there’s more! Taylor is also contesting whether Swinson should have even been running for office in the first place. You see, Swinson is a convicted felon, having wrapped up his supervised release back in 2013 for a money laundering conviction. In Taylor’s argument, she highlights that candidates can’t run for public office until 15 years have passed since they’ve completed their sentence—this includes parole and probation.

The plot thickens as Taylor mentions that the candidacy form in South Carolina directly states that those with felony convictions are barred from seeking office during that 15-year period. The outcome of this whole debacle could reassess not just Taylor’s status, but also how we view eligibility in future elections around here.

The Road Ahead

While this situation unfolds, Taylor is asking the court to completely overturn the Election Commission’s ruling, thus allowing her to officially claim her rightful spot as a town council member. To wrap up her case, she’s also seeking an award to cover her attorney’s fees. It’s a lot for our cozy coastal community to digest!

What’s Next?

With the appeal now filed, we wait and see how this all shakes out. Will the courts side with Taylor or uphold the Election Commission’s decision? It’s safe to say that all eyes will be on this case as it progresses. Atlantic Beach and its residents are eagerly awaiting clarity on what this means for our local governance, as well as ensuring our elections stay fair and transparent.

This whole back-and-forth in court has everyone wondering about the integrity of our local elections, especially as we approach future voting seasons. Stay tuned, folks, we’ll be right here to keep you updated on all the latest news from our beautiful beach town!