Greenville, S.C. — Greenville City Council voted 5-1 on Oct. 12 to make city elections nonpartisan beginning in 2027, reshaping next year’s races for mayor and three council seats under a new statewide mandate.
A state law passed this year requires municipalities with populations over 39,000 to drop partisan primaries. Greenville and Florence are the cities forced to change. Councilmember Lillian Brock Flemming cast the sole no vote, and Councilmember Wil Brasington abstained.
Under the ordinance, if more than two candidates file for the same office the city will hold a nonpartisan primary on the second Tuesday in June, with the top two advancing to the November general election.
Mayor Knox White, in office since 1995, has said he will not seek another term. Brasington has already announced a mayoral campaign. Council seats now held by John DeWorken, Ken Gibson and Dorothy Dowe are also on the 2027 ballot.
Starting in November, council meetings move to room 102C at the Greenville Convention Center for about two and a half years while city hall is renovated, City Manager Shannon Lavrin said.
