Candidate Filing Opens Across Barnwell, Allendale Counties Through March 30

Several candidates have already submitted paperwork for federal, state and local offices across Barnwell and Allendale counties, with the statewide partisan filing window open through noon Monday, March 30. The two-week period, which opened at noon March 16, will set the ballot for the June 9 Republican and Democratic primaries across South Carolina.

The most distinctive local development so far involves the Barnwell County Council District 4 seat, where attorney Carson Alexander has filed as the only candidate. The current District 4 officeholder, Daniel Alexander, did not seek re-election because he is pursuing the District 91 seat in the S.C. House of Representatives. Daniel Alexander is Carson Alexander's brother-in-law, making the seat effectively a family hand-off if no additional candidates enter before the March 30 deadline.

Elsewhere in Barnwell County, incumbents David Kenner and Harold Buckmon filed for re-election to council Districts 2 and 6, respectively. As of March 24, both remained unopposed, though challengers could still enter before filing closes. County council seats, as well as probate judge, auditor and treasurer positions, are all on the ballot in Barnwell this cycle.

In Allendale County, a separate filing window is running concurrently for a mayoral special election. Former Mayor Tom Carter stepped down, triggering a May 12 election to fill the remainder of the term. Candidates for that race have until noon April 3 to file, with paperwork accepted beginning March 20.

Races stretching beyond the county level include U.S. House District 2, which covers Barnwell, and District 6, which includes Allendale. Statewide, all constitutional officers, all 124 state House seats, seven congressional seats and one U.S. Senate contest are on the 2026 ballot. According to the SC Daily Gazette, five Democrats are challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham; a correction to that report noted three Republicans are also challenging Graham. The most crowded contest statewide is shaping up in the coastal 1st District, where an expected field of 10 Republicans and five Democrats are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who has announced a gubernatorial bid.

Candidates seeking county-level offices in Barnwell file at the County Board of Voter Registration and Elections at 367 Fuldner Road, Barnwell, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allendale County candidates file at 158 McNair Street, Allendale, during the same hours. Those seeking federal, statewide or multi-county offices file directly with the South Carolina Election Commission. All filers must complete the Statement of Intention of Candidacy & Party Pledge form, available at scVOTES.gov and at each filing location. The public can monitor who has filed through the Candidate Tracking System on scVOTES.gov, which allows real-time access to candidate documents and downloadable filing data.

The picture of contested races will sharpen considerably once filing closes at noon March 30 for partisan nominations, and at noon April 3 for the Allendale mayoral special election.