(A) The City of Goose Creek shall reimburse the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission for all costs incurred in providing ballots, advertising elections, printing costs, postage, transportation costs, temporary help, programming charges, poll managers compensation and other related additional expenses incurred in its conduct of municipal elections in the City of Goose Creek, less filing fees collected by the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission. If a protest is filed or litigation is commenced in connection with the conduct of municipal elections, the City of Goose Creek shall pay all court costs, attorneys’ fees, court reporters’ fees and costs, and other costs and expenses incurred in such protest or litigation or the defense thereof. The Berkeley County Registration and Election Commission shall provide invoices to the City of Goose Creek of all such costs and expenses incurred in the conduct of Goose Creek municipal elections, protests, certifications of results, litigation or other costs which may be incurred, even if not specifically mentioned in this chapter. Further, the City of Goose Creek shall provide payment upon such invoices within 30 days of receipt thereof.
(B) Requirements of method of nominating candidates of filing, and filing fees.
(1) Candidates for the Offices of Mayor and City Council shall file a statement of candidacy with the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission not later than 12:00 noon, 60 days prior to the election, but not sooner than 75 days prior to the election. A filing fee of $150 shall be submitted with the statement of candidacy for the Office of City Council. The filing fee for the Office of Mayor shall be the sum of $300. The Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission shall verify the information in the statement for compliance with state and city laws and place the name of the candidate on the ballot. All filing fees received shall be used to defray the cost of the election.
(2) Any person declaring candidacy under this section who cannot afford the required filing fee and who claims to be indigent shall file a written appeal for relief with the Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission not later than 12:00 noon, 60 days prior to the election, but not sooner than 75 days prior to the election.
(C) The Berkeley County Voter Registration and Election Commission must examine the petitions of the candidates and determine the validity not later than 30 days prior to the general or special election.
(Ord. 09-006, passed 10-13-2009)