GREENVILLE, S.C. — Greenville city elections will be nonpartisan starting in 2027 after City Council voted 5-1 on Oct. 12 to give final approval to an ordinance changing how the city picks its mayor and council members.
The switch was forced by House Bill 3556, a new state law that requires municipalities with populations over 39,000 to adopt one of three methods for nonpartisan elections. Greenville chose the nonpartisan primary and general election method.
Under the ordinance, a nonpartisan primary will be held on the second Tuesday in June if more than two candidates file for the same office. The top two vote-getters move on to the November general election, where the candidate with a majority of the votes wins.
Councilmember Lillian Brock Flemming cast the lone vote against the ordinance. Councilmember Wil Brasington, who announced his candidacy for mayor on Sept. 22, recused himself from the vote.
Five city offices will be up for election in 2027, including the mayoral seat. Mayor Knox White, who has served since 1995, has confirmed he will not seek reelection. Council seats now held by John DeWorken, Ken Gibson and Dorothy Dowe are also on the 2027 ballot.
Starting in November, City Council will meet at the Greenville Convention Center for about two and a half years while city hall is renovated.
