Six candidates will face voters Tuesday in a special election to fill North Charleston’s vacant District 1 city council seat, setting up the city’s first contested municipal race since the November general elections.

Edward Astle, Adrian DeSaussure, Greg Perry, Dwane Schalles, Libby S. Tisdale and Kevin Walker-Porcher qualified for the ballot following the resignation of the previous council member. The winner will serve the remainder of the term through 2027.

The District 1 seat covers portions of North Charleston’s eastern neighborhoods, including areas along Rivers Avenue and parts of the Park Circle district. Voter turnout in special elections typically runs significantly lower than general elections, making candidate ground operations crucial.

North Charleston election officials said polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precinct locations, with no early voting available for the special election.

The candidates participated in a public forum and meet-and-greet event at city council chambers last week, though attendance details were not released by city officials.

Astle brings private sector experience to his campaign, while DeSaussure has focused his platform on economic development and infrastructure improvements. Perry, a longtime North Charleston resident, has emphasized public safety concerns in his campaign materials.

Schalles has campaigned on fiscal responsibility and transparent government operations. Tisdale, the only woman in the race, has highlighted community engagement and neighborhood revitalization as key priorities. Walker-Porcher has made affordable housing and youth programs central to his platform.

The special election comes as North Charleston continues managing rapid population growth and development pressures similar to challenges facing other local government bodies across the Charleston metro area. The city’s 2024 budget exceeded $180 million, with significant portions allocated to public safety and infrastructure projects.

District 1 voters will decide the race through a simple plurality vote, meaning the candidate receiving the most votes wins regardless of whether they achieve a majority. South Carolina municipal elections do not require runoffs unless specifically outlined in city charters.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said the incoming council member will face immediate decisions on zoning requests and budget amendments currently pending before the full council.

“We need someone ready to work from day one,” Summey said. “There are important votes coming up that affect District 1 residents directly.”

The vacant seat has left the council operating with six members instead of the full complement of seven, though city business has continued without interruption. North Charleston’s council meets twice monthly, with committee meetings scheduled as needed.

Candidate financial disclosures show varying levels of campaign fundraising, with several candidates relying primarily on personal contributions and small individual donations. None reported corporate contributions exceeding $1,000 in pre-election filings.

Voting locations include North Charleston High School, Eagle Landing Elementary, and three other sites within District 1 boundaries. The Charleston County Board of Elections will oversee vote counting and certification.

Results are expected within two hours of poll closing, barring any technical issues or unusually high turnout. The winner will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.

The special election carries implications beyond District 1, as council voting dynamics could shift depending on the winner’s positions on development projects and spending priorities currently under consideration.

North Charleston has scheduled three major infrastructure votes for early next month, including a proposed road improvement project and updates to the city’s stormwater management system. The new council member will participate in those decisions.

City officials emphasized that only registered voters residing within District 1 boundaries are eligible to participate in Tuesday’s election. Voter registration closed 30 days before the election date under state law.

The Charleston County Election Commission will post preliminary results on its website following poll closures. Official certification is scheduled for the Friday following the election.

North Charleston’s next regular municipal elections are scheduled for 2027, when all council seats will appear on the ballot alongside the mayor’s position.