Earlier this month, the Charleston Metro Chamber Political Action Committee released its 2025 endorsements for the upcoming elections on November 4. There are several local and one special statehouse election coming up – and the stakes could not be higher.

At our Economic Outlook Conference this year, we learned that our labor force is expected to continue to grow by another 2% in 2026.  We all know that a workforce is only as strong as the community it lives and works in, which means that livability must be at the forefront of every conversation. By voting, you play a role in making sure there are leaders in place that can work to address our region’s needs.  

Here’s how you can prepare for November 4: 

Step 1: Find Out If You Have An Election
Visit scvotes.gov or contact your county’s voter registration office to see if you have anything on your ballot this year. You can also verify your voter registration status.

Step 2: Do Your Research 
Most candidates have their platforms and priorities listed on campaign websites or Facebook pages. A quick google search should point you in the right direction.

Step 3: Know Your Polling Place 
According to SCVotes, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. You can also find your polling place address at scvotes.gov.

Emphasizing the importance of voter turnout feels like a fitting way to close this chapter of my own journey with the Chamber.

For the past two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of working on the Chamber staff to champion a thriving business climate across the Charleston metro area. I’m excited to share that I’ll soon be taking the next step in my career as Small Business Manager with Berkeley County Economic Development.

As I sign off on my final Advocates, I want to take a moment to reflect on and express my gratitude to our members for their steadfast support. Together, we’ve strengthened partnerships with local governments across all three counties and successfully advanced key policy priorities for our region.

I’m certain that Kevin Sheilley and the entire Chamber team will continue achieving great things and I look forward to staying connected and continuing to collaborate to advance our region.