Seems to be a lot of fear-mongering flowing about the impending, crucial Nov. 2026 midterms, including threats from high places about taking over elections.
Back in 2024, I called Sheriff P.J. Tanner, asking his response then to warnings about proud-boy types obstructing polling places. His welcome response, that he and his officers would absolutely not tolerate any such behavior, I am sure holds true despite his very unpopular invitation to ICE to enter into a formal Task Force relationship.
To Tanner’s credit, he is law enforcement first, and protecting your civil rights is part of that. No one can take over the State’s nor each county’s role in controlling our elections, and there are legions of organizations and lawyers and judges who will protect that process. And your Beaufort County Election folks are all dedicated professionals there to help us.
Despite the possibility that the state did respond to the DOJ’s request for voter role data, no “purge” of voter roles could occur at a federal level that the state would allow. And you can just go to “scvote.gov” and check your registration status, update if needed (you must if you’ve moved). Should do that anyway. The only thing that will threaten your vote is if you don’t go and cast it.
In the meantime, prior to the June 9 primary voting, you can attend the weekly Monday 4 p.m. protest by City Hall in Beaufort (going over a year now) and continue to exercise your concern for any issue (the favorites are now often anti-ICE sentiments and request for justice around the Epstein files). And on Saturday, March 28 at noon, City Hall site again, there will be a large national protest called “No Kings” — but again, your sign may express YOUR issue of merit. Then, the option of marching down a sidewalk to downtown, where we can patronize our favorite shops and restaurants, sign in hand!
Sometimes it does seem a lot separates us from one another, but I think a faith and trust in the ultimate sanctity of our democratic values and system of laws is one thing we hold in common.
— Timothy Dodds, Lady’s Island
Kudos to Ms. Earley
I want to commend [The Island News’] assistant editor, Delayna Earley, for the five well-written and informative articles in the Feb. 19 issue of the paper, all of them about what’s going on in the City and with the City Council.
I’m afraid too few citizens realize that what happens within the City has a tremendous impact on the lives of all who live north of the Broad River. The reality is, whether you live on St. Helena Island or in the Seabrook area, if someone asks you where you’re from you’ll answer Beaufort, S.C.
We’re proud of our beautiful and historic city, and I hope Ms. Earley’s articles will generate more interest in what we do and how we decide on our policies. I also hope you’ll continue to share articles such as these with the community.
— Edie Rodgers, Beaufort