t was closer than most Kentucky Derby races and needed final confirmation and certification from the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections to verify the winners. But with eight candidates running for four seats on the Isle of Palms City Council, two challengers and two incumbents prevailed in the Nov. 7 election, which brought out more than half of the IslandVibes.com 3 NEWS Continued on page 8 Living and Selling the Lowcountry Lifestyle 2021-2022 Sales volume $94,000,000+ IOP RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE www.iop-residential.com 1100 Palm Blvd. 2C Isle of Palms, SC 29451 Amy Rogers REALTOR OF DISTINCTION amy@iop-residential.com 843-824-4892 As seen on IOP election yields new and familiar faces; short-term rental cap fails By L. C. Leach III I island’s eligible voters. “There were 2,569 votes cast in the Isle of Palms election, with voter turnout coming in at 56.86 percent – which is pretty high for a municipal election,” said Matt Dillane, marketing and communications coordinator with the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. “Whereas for all of the rest of Charleston County’s municipal elections, voter turnout was only 22.91 percent.” The high percentage of IOP voter turnout was due mainly to a long-simmering referendum question on the issue of whether or not to cap short-term rentals and partly to the combination of old and new candidates. First-time electee Elizabeth Campsen polled 1,346 votes – more than any other IOP candidate. Scott Pierce finished a close second, gaining re-election with 1,300 votes. First-time candidate Ashley Carroll placed third with 1,239 votes. Longtime city council member Jimmy Ward gained his fifth non-consecutive term of office by tallying 1,230 votes. “I’ve always tried to pay attention to the job and come prepared for positive solutions for the city,” said Ward, a resident since 1986. “Employee retention will be an issue for us in the new year, and we need to hold onto good people, especially police and fire workers.” Carroll, co-owner of Carroll Realty, stated that she is grateful to have been elected, and her initial focus now is to “foster a more united council and community to keep
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