COLUMBIA, S.C. — According to data from the South Carolina State Election Commission, over 20 state races and over 30 local races have just one single candidate running unopposed in next week's election.
But having several unopposed races in an election year is fairly common according to political science experts.
They said these situations often happen because of how majority and minority parties work in various states.
"Certainly, an incumbent seat makes a difference, but they got elected the first time because they were in these districts that were drawn to the advantage of that particular party," said Robert Oldendick, USC political science professor.
Oldendick has run a survey research lab and taught this subject at the University of South Carolina for over 30 years.
He said while unopposed races could appear to be not competitive enough, there are other alternatives, like voting for a write in candidate or not voting for the unopposed candidate at all.
"The whole two party system is based on the idea that we should have open and competitive elections, but what you see in different states and particularly in the state of South Carolina is that, you might say well this is undemocratic because we don't have competition in all these races, but if you think of it from the other side of that, is it representative? Then I think you could make the argument that it is because the composition of the legislature in terms of its democratic republican split, pretty much reflects the wishes of the electorate," Oldendick said.
Oldendick said while write in's usually don't win, there are rare situations where they do.
"Candidates who are capable, have the possibility of being elected and are willing to put in that type of effort," Oldendick said.
This year, some of the unopposed races include state senate seats for districts 21-23, the sheriff's races in Newberry, Lexington and Lee counties, and the coroner races in Fairfield, Clarendon and Sumter counties.
"If you're turned off by an unopposed contest on your ballot, well there are several others on that ballot that hopefully will get you to the polls for this election," said John Michael Catalano, public information officer for the SC State Election Commission.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.