Beaufort County elections board votes to ask delegation to split eight oversized precincts, requests equipment funding

The Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections voted unanimously on March 26 to ask the county’s legislative delegation to split eight precincts that exceed the 1,500-voter limit set in state law and to request funding for equipment and staffing needed to operate any additional precincts.

The board’s recommendation — moved by the board chair and seconded by Herbert Ford, facilities committee member — directs the delegation to pursue local legislation to split the listed precincts effective Jan. 1, 2026, and asks that the delegation include funding for voting equipment. The motion passed by voice and hand count; the chair recorded the outcome as unanimous.

The reprecincting committee, chaired by Beverly Dorr, reported that eight precincts currently exceed 1,500 registered voters and recommended that the board ask the legislative delegation to split them if the State Election Commission (SEC) does not notify the General Assembly by April 1, 2025. The board voted to proceed with the recommendation now rather than wait for SEC notice.

Why it matters: Under the statute cited in committee discussion (identified in the meeting as the requirement in Section 7-7-710 for counties to act on precincts that exceed 1,500 voters), the board must address oversized precincts. The board’s decision begins the local legislative step toward creating additional precincts and signals to county officials and voters when boundary changes could take effect.

Details and vote: Beverly Dorr’s reprecincting committee presented voter totals used to justify the splits: - New River: 2,677 voters - Bluffton 2C: 1,865 voters - Bluffton 7A: 1,860 voters - Moss Creek: 1,697 voters - Lady’s Island 2B: 1,623 voters - Bluffton 4A: 1,642 voters - Riverbend: 1,594 voters - St. Helena 1C: 1,581 voters

The board motion called for the delegation to file local legislation to split the listed precincts and to include a request for funds to cover the additional voting equipment and any certified staff or poll worker needs. At the meeting Director Marie Smalls confirmed that additional poll workers and two additional certified staff members would likely be necessary if the splits are implemented; she also said the county has submitted a FY2026 budget but that amendments to that submittal are not possible at the present time.

What the board said: Beverly Dorr, chair of the reprecincting committee, told the board the committee had reviewed the required statute and voter totals and recommended asking the delegation to split the precincts if no SEC notification is received by April 1. When asked whether the board could act prior to April 1, the chair of the board said he preferred to move forward now; Dorr replied, “Right. If we don't receive notification by April 1.”

Next steps: The board asked staff to include equipment needs and staffing requests in its communication to the delegation. Board members discussed the timing of filing local legislation; one member said the delegation had previously acted on similar local bills and that earlier submittal would improve prospects of having changes take effect by Jan. 1, 2026. The board did not receive assurances from the delegation about budget timing or guaranteed funding; the motion asks the delegation to seek funds but does not bind the delegation to any outcome.

Votes at a glance: Motion to recommend splitting the eight precincts to the legislative delegation and request funding for equipment and staff — moved by the board chair (name not given in the meeting transcript), seconded by Herbert Ford; outcome: approved (unanimous, recorded by chair).