Council appoints three to municipal election commission after debate over dissolving panel

CAYCE — On Oct. 7, 2025, the Cayce City Council voted to confirm three members to the municipal election commission so the city complies with state law before the Nov. 4 municipal election.

The resolution appointed Maxine Kramer to a term expiring Sept. 1, 2026; Diane Bray to a term expiring Sept. 1, 2028; and Fletcher Smith to a term expiring Sept. 1, 2030. Council recorded unanimous votes in favor: Mayor Pro Tem Tim James, Council member Thomas, Council member Sox, Council member Carter and Mayor Pardon.

Why it matters: South Carolina law limits municipal election commissions to three members with staggered six-year terms (S.C. Code § 5-15-90) and assigns them core duties including certifying election results and, if necessary, hearing challenges to results. Council and staff said aligning the city roster with that statute is necessary to ensure the commission can perform those functions.

The agenda item drew a public comment from resident Danny Kramer, who urged the council to "dissolve the municipal election commission," saying the local commission functions largely as a figurehead and that Lexington County already handles much of the administration. Kramer also asked the council to resolve separate, long-running litigation concerning a property at 1028 Michael Avenue.

City attorney Will said the county can handle many logistical aspects of elections but that certifying results and adjudicating challenges are duties that would require more time and formal action at the county level to transfer. "They officially certify [results] to make those official final results," Will said, adding that the commission "would sit essentially as the judges to hear that challenge" if someone contested an election outcome.

Council members debated whether to pursue a long-term transfer of authority to Lexington County or keep a small commission in place for the upcoming election. Several members said the transfer would take time and likely require a county ordinance and three readings, so changes should wait until after the election.

Council then moved to appoint the three members named in the resolution and to approve the written resolution setting staggered terms. The motion carried on a roll-call vote.

What’s next: The appointments put the city in compliance with the statutory structure for municipal election commissions before ballots are certified for the Nov. 4 election. Council and staff said any broader structural change—such as turning all city election responsibilities over to Lexington County—would require follow-up discussions and intergovernmental agreements after the election.

(Reporting based on Cayce City Council meeting transcript, Oct. 7, 2025.)