Kent Boles Wins Ware Shoals Council Election Despite Low Turnout

News Summary

Kent Boles has secured his position as an at-large council member for Ware Shoals in a recent special election marked by low voter participation. With only 58 votes, Boles’ victory highlights both the local interest in governance and the ongoing challenges of voter engagement. This election follows the resignation of former council member George Leagans, leading to a competitive field of four candidates. Despite Boles’ clear win, the turnout was dishearteningly low, prompting discussions on how to boost future voter participation in local elections.

Kent Boles Claims Victory in Ware Shoals Council Special Election Despite Low Voter Turnout

In a slightly surprising turn of events, the small town of Ware Shoals has a new at-large council member. Kent Boles emerged victorious in a special election held recently, gaining his seat amid an overall low turnout that had locals talking. Boles secured a total of 58 votes, an outcome that reflects not only the interest in local governance but also the challenges of engaging voters.

The Context of the Election

This election came about due to the resignation of former council member George Leagans, whose decision to step down late last year created an opening for new leadership. Four candidates threw their hats into the ring: Kent Boles, Ray Cox, Katelyn Grizzle, and Joy Hansen. Each candidate brought a different background and set of ideas to the table, aiming to capture the hearts—and votes—of local residents.

How the Voting Played Out

The results were something to discuss! In Greenwood County, Boles took the lead with 38 votes, which accounted for an impressive 51.35% of the votes cast there. Joy Hansen followed with 18 votes (24.32%), while Katelyn Grizzle trailed closely behind her with 17 votes (22.97%). Meanwhile, Ray Cox managed to get just one vote (1.35%) in the county. Interestingly, there were no write-in votes in Greenwood County, signaling a clear preference amongst voters.

Voter Turnout: A Talking Point

Despite Boles’ clear victory, the overall voter turnout left much to be desired. In Greenwood County, only 8.34% of the 887 registered voters made it to the polls. For this election, three out of five precincts reported their votes, with the in-person turnout seeing 70 votes cast, alongside just four during early voting. It seems like the overcast skies and warm temperatures didn’t help rally the crowds to the voting booths.

In contrast, when we look at Abbeville County, Boles also performed strongly, garnering 20 votes (52.63%) out of 38 total voteseight votes (21.05%), Katelyn Grizzle received seven votes (18.42%), and Ray Cox managed to get three votes (7.89%). Just like in Greenwood County, there were no write-in votes here either.

Abbeville County Turnout

The turnout in Abbeville County was slightly better at 13.97% of its 272 registered voters. Only one out of three precincts reported on Election Day, and a total of 38 votes were cast, reflecting both regions’ challenges in motivating voters to participate in local elections.

The Weather’s Role

A cloudy day can often affect outside events, and it seems that Election Day wasn’t much different. With a high of 84°F and a low of 66°F, paired with a southerly breeze, locals might have found it hard to put on their shoes and head out to vote.

Looking Ahead

The election has been a great opportunity for Ware Shoals citizens to engage with their local democracy once again. Although many voters stayed home this time, Boles’ win is undoubtedly the beginning of a fresh chapter for the town council — one that residents will undoubtedly be watching closely. With new leadership in place, there’s always hope for increased engagement in future elections and local initiatives!

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Additional Resources

• Index Journal: Kent Boles Wins Ware Shoals Council At-Large Seat
• Wikipedia: Ware Shoals, South Carolina
• Index Journal: Ware Shoals Town Council Election Results
• Google Search: Ware Shoals elections
• WSPA: Closed Hydro Plant Causing Issues for Ware Shoals Residents
• Google News: Ware Shoals Council