Council Election Representation

At a glance

• What: Whether Myrtle Beach should change how council is elected (now at-large) to districts or wards.
• Where it stands: At the October 13, 2026 workshop Mr. Barrineau of the Municipal Association of South Carolina reviewed the required steps for converting from at-large to districts and the alternatives. Council then approved Resolution R2026-21 to hold community informational sessions on the city's method of elected representation, 7 to 0.
• Next: Community informational sessions; no dates are given in the minutes.

The five methods

The resolution summary lists the five methods South Carolina allows under S.C. Code 5-15-20: all candidates at-large; all in single-member districts; some from wards or districts and the rest at-large; candidates required to live in a ward or district but elected at-large; and a mix of residency-required and not-required candidates, all elected at-large. Under all five the mayor is elected at-large. Mayor and Council had directed staff to review the options.

Votes

Resolution R2026-21: moved by Councilman McClure, seconded by Councilman Chestnut. All seven members voted yes: Mayor Kruea, Mayor Pro Tem Conner, Councilman Chestnut, Councilwoman Hatley, Councilman Lowder, Councilman McClure, Councilman Render.

Sources

• City Council workshop and meeting minutes, October 13, 2026: https://cms6.revize.com/revize/myrtlebeachsc/02.%2010-13-2026%20Meeting%20Minutes%20.pdf
• City Council agenda, October 13, 2026: https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/AGENDA%2010132026.pdf

Log

2026-10-13 - Workshop and City Council

Workshop presentation by the Municipal Association; Resolution R2026-21 for community sessions approved 7 to 0.