Ballot QuestionsThursday, November 5
Charleston County voters also approve $300 million in bonds and a 1% school construction sales tax
The Morning Mount Pleasant team
If you shop in Charleston County, two more tax questions passed Tuesday. WCBD reports unofficial results show all three questions drew more than 60% support. The second lets the county issue up to $300 million in general obligation bonds backed by transportation sales tax revenue. The third is a 1% sales tax for Charleston County School District construction, for up to six years.
All three Charleston County questions passed with more than 60%
Unofficial results from the S.C. Election Commission
Q1: Half-cent transportation sales tax
Needs a majority: the line at 50%
Q2: Up to $300 million in bonds
Needs a majority: the line at 50%
Q3: 1% school construction sales tax
Needs a majority: the line at 50%
Source: WCBD News 2
View as table
| Race | Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1: Half-cent transportation sales tax | Yes, won | 108,190 | 63.9% |
| Q1: Half-cent transportation sales tax | No | 61,102 | 36.1% |
| Q2: Up to $300 million in bonds | Yes, won | 108,002 | 64.0% |
| Q2: Up to $300 million in bonds | No | 60,841 | 36.0% |
| Q3: 1% school construction sales tax | Yes, won | 115,325 | 68.0% |
| Q3: 1% school construction sales tax | No | 54,182 | 32.0% |
North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess rode a CARTA bus the morning after the election. Live 5 reports the tax is projected to generate roughly $850 million, starting in 2027, for a rapid transit line along Rivers Avenue between the North area and downtown. Burgess said "by 2029 we should cut the ribbon and start this mass transit."
- School tax pays for: safety upgrades, new schools, classroom additions
- School tax also covers: career and technical education, athletics, technology
- Transportation tax runs up to 25 years or until $4.25 billion is collected
The rapid transit line is targeted to open in 2029
- 2027Sales tax projected to start generating roughly $850 million for rapid transit.
- Dec. 2028Current education capital improvements sales tax expires; the new 1% tax would follow.
- 2029Rapid transit line along Rivers Avenue is targeted to open.
Sources: WCBD News 2, Live 5 News
Sources: WCBD News 2, Live 5 News