Columbia, S.C. - Today in the South Carolina State House, Dorchester County State Representative Chris Murphy filled H. 3961, a bill changing the Dorchester District Two School District's elections from at-large to single-member districts. You can read the pros, cons, and our thoughts on single-member districts here.
Joining Rep. Murphy as cosponsors were: Rep. Gary Brewer, Rep. Gil Gatch, Rep. Robby Robbins, and Rep. Joe Jefferson. Rep. Jefferson, a Democrat makes this bill officially bipartisan.
The text of H.3961 is as follows:
TO AMEND ACT 535 OF 1982, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SUMMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF ELECTING FROM AT- LARGE TO SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICTS, TO DESIGNATE A MAP NUMBER ON WHICH THESE SINGLE-MEMBER ELECTION DISTRICTS ARE DELINEATED, TO CHANGE THE CANDIDATE FILING METHOD, AND TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR THE NEWLY DRAWN ELECTION DISTRICTS.
The bill is expected to be heard on the floor for first reading tomorrow since it received a favorable report from the Dorchester County Legislative Delegation. We'll keep you updated on the bill's progress.
Also happening:
Current DD2 School Board Trustee Justin Farnsworth announced today that he would hold two "Let's Chat" events to discuss the issue of single-member districts with the public. Farnsworth along with fellow incumbents Barbara Crosby and Cynthia Powell were the only individuals who made the case for single-member districts at this week's delegation meeting. However during the recent 2022 election, Farnsworth was witnessed by multiple attendees of the Summerville Republican Women's club meeting saying that he "wasn't opposed to single-member districts".
It appears Mr. Farnsworth has had a change of heart now that election season is over, and a potential new election season next year may soon be on the horizon for Mr. Farnsworth if H. 3961 passes.
Under Also Happening - is there a typo as the quote from before the election stated that Farnsworth was not opposed to single-member districts. The previous comment indicated that he is 1 of 3 that made a case for single-member districts. Not sure what you are saying had changed?