But know why you’re voting first.

Who are you voting for in two weeks? Are you voting? Do you even know what I’m talking about?

On Tuesday, Nov. 7 Soda Citizens will vote in the City of Columbia Municipal Election – a.k.a. electing locals to sit on City Council.

City officials serve for 4 years, starting Jan. 1, 2018 with terms ending Dec. 31, 2021. The Mayor makes $75,000 per year for his part-time position [he‘s a licensed attorney but treats City Hall as a full time job] + Council members make $13,350 per year. And no, you won’t see D or R next to their names on the ballot – this is a nonpartisan election.

(Don’t know what district you’re in? No judgement. Type in your address here to find out.)

Here are all the deets on who’s running + why.

Top issues? Economic development + public safety.

Mayor | won’t be on the ballot (the last year this can happen)

☑️ Unopposed Steve Benjamin (will enter his third term) | raised $200,000+ | What he stands for: accountability, arts + culture, budget, growth + jobs, public safety and sustainability | 👤 He’s been behind initiatives like the rebirth of Main Street; the development of BullStreet (with public funds); helped create more jobs, ultimately decreasing unemployment rates; introduced the “Justice for All” initiative – a program to help build a “world class police department”

District I Council Member (North Main area)

☑️ Sam Davis (seeking his 5th term) | raised $5,750 | What he stands for: economic development | 👤 He’s been behind initiatives like the revitalization + streetscaping projects along North Main; lead the Belmont Residential Initiative – a reconstruction project that provided 25+ homes for low-income families

☑️ Chris Sullivan (new to the race) | raised $6,172 | What he stands for: public safety, economic development and city services | 👤 27-year-old PR agency owner; involved in politics since he was 6-years-old

Photo via Chris Sullivan for City Council - District One

District IV Council Member | won’t be on the ballot (Heathwood + Lake Katherine area)

☑️ Unopposed Daniel Rickenmann (initially served 8 years on Council, took time off, now returning after a partial term last year) | What he stands for: small-business retention + economic development | 👤 He’s been behind initiatives like helping reform the City’s finances + budgeting processes; negotiations of a new fire service contract with Richland County; referred to as the “most effective member” by a fellow Council member after leaving Council in 2012

At-Large Council Member (doesn’t represent one specific area)

☑️ Tameika Isaac Devine (seeking her fifth term) | raised ~$14,000 | What she stands for: economic development, public safety, community/neighborhood improvement, fiscal responsibility, transparency and health + wellness of citizens | 👤 She’s been behind initiatives like the re-investment into the City’s infrastructure, resulting in $500 million in water + sewer upgrades; started the City’s recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention week; helped lower employee health care cost by pushing for establishment of the Employee Wellness Program + Employee Wellness Center

☑️ Joseph Azar (has run previously) | hasn’t filed a finance report | What he stands for: growing Columbia to be competitive statewide + nationally; economic development; reducing property tax rates; a better water + sewer system; fixing building and zoning laws; open government | 👤 owner of Five Points’ Upstairs Audio and Video

If you want to vote on Nov. 7, you would have needed to register by Oct. 7. If you dropped the ball this go around, you can register to vote in in future elections by contacting the County Board of Voter Registration (2020 Hampton St.) at 803-576-2240 or by visiting www.scvotes.org. Make sure you’re always registered 30 days prior to the election you wish to vote in.

Are you a college student wanting to vote? You can register to vote where you live while in college – just register your dorm/apt./house’s address as your personal address. Also make sure you have a valid ID (driver’s licenses, student ID, etc.) and a government document (bank statement, paycheck, etc.) that shows your name + address in the county.

See all the voting rules here.

And don’t forget your ID at the polls. (It’s a state law.)

–Sam