Filing opens Friday in District 100 to replace Umphlett

A 10-day candidate filing period begins Friday to fill the open seat representing S.C. House District 100.

But, at this point, the candidates are a mystery — even to party leaders.

Rep. C. David Umphlett Jr. (right) died May 29 after a fight with pancreatic cancer. The Republican ran unopposed last November for a fifth term.

Primaries will be held on Aug. 9, with the special election on Sept. 27. Candidates can file at the county election office or through their county party leader. The filing fee is $113.

In Goose Creek, the district includes a stretch of Red Bank Road and Joint Base Charleston.

"No Democrats have shown interest, and I do not know if any will because it is a heavily Republican district," said Berkeley County Democratic Party Chairwoman Melissa Watson.

She's not the only one curious about who will end up on the ballot.

Berkeley GOP Party Chairman Tim Callanan has been asking around to see who is interested. "The answer I have received is 'nobody,'" he said.

Running in a Statehouse race usually requires someone with the time and money to run a strong race and then spend half the year shuttling between Columbia and the Lowcountry.

"It's not so easy to find folks who can afford to run and commit the time and money to do that," Callanan said.

ID Ready?

For voters, July 9 will be the last day to register for the primary. Aug. 27 will be the last day to register for the general election.

It is possible, but not likely, that voters in September's special election will be the guinea pigs for the state's new Voter ID program.

The law would require voters to present a driver's license, state or military ID, or a passport with their voter registration card when they arrive at the polls.

Approved by the legislature earlier this year, the law requires the OK from the U.S. Department of Justice before it can be implemented, said State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire.

The state Attorney General's office is still preparing the DOJ submission, and the department has 60 days to respond. However, the DOJ could come back with questions regarding the law, delaying approval. That would make it difficult to squeeze in implementation in time.

"If the new law is in effect for the special election, the SEC would make targeted voter education efforts in the District 100 area to ensure voters were aware of the new rules," said Whitmire.