Aiken County Primary Elections June 9

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA    Aiken

The Republican and Democratic parties will hold primaries on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. There will be no Democratic Party Primary in Aiken County as there is no opposition for the Democratic Party nomination for offices in the county. Any necessary runoffs will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Any person wishing to vote in the primaries and runoffs must register no later than Sunday, May 10, 2020. Voter registration by mail forms will be accepted if postmarked by Monday, May 11, 2020. Beginning Monday, May 11, the county voter registration and elections office will be open for in-person absentee voting during regular business hours and on Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Voters will be asked to provide one of the following Photo IDs at their polling place:

  • S.C. Driver's License

  • ID Card issued by S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles

  • S.C. Voter Registration Card with Photo

  • Federal Military ID

  • U.S. Passport

ACPSD to have 2020 graduations on football fields

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT KING LAURENCE REGARDING 2020 HIGH SCHOOL 

Aiken County Public School Families, in considering alternative ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 during this pandemic, we surveyed our graduating seniors, their families, and friends for their input and ideas. We are certainly grateful that more than 2,000 individuals provided feedback and we appreciate the innovative and very thoughtful ideas shared.

Many of you suggested an option of each high school hosting ceremonies in their own football stadiums with strict social distancing protocols in place, limited guests, and virtual streaming. In discussion with our high school principals, we believe that suggestion to be the best option to celebrate this year’s graduates while protecting their safety.

Additional details on each high school’s individual ceremony are forthcoming, but we can share that all high schools will host their graduation in their own football stadiums on the previously designated dates of June 4th and 5th. All ceremonies will be held at 10:00 a.m.

Please note that due to COVID-19, additional precautions will be implemented and strictly enforced. In an effort to ensure social distancing and meet the state department’s recommended guidelines, each graduate will receive two tickets and tickets will be required for admittance into the stadiums.

All ceremonies will also be live-streamed and recorded. We look forward to honoring our seniors through these official ceremonies as we continue to explore additional opportunities to celebrate the Class of 2020 during these unprecedented times.

Schools remain closed for the rest of the school year

As you may have heard, today in a press conference at 11:00 a.m. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced the decision that state-wide school closures would extend through the end of this school year.
 
While we certainly respect the Governor and State Superintendent’s difficult decision, we join many of you in disappointment for what will be missed as a result of this pandemic. Nothing is paramount to the health and safety of our students, staff members and families and we will recover and make up what is possible when we do return. We have surveyed the students and families of graduating seniors and look forward to reviewing your feedback and sharing plans to celebrate the Class of 2020 in an alternative way to our traditional graduation ceremonies based on your ideas and input with that survey.
 
We would encourage students to continue working on their Distance Learning Packets and to engage in regular communication with their teachers. The second phase of Distance Learning Packets will be due Friday, May 1. At that time phase three will be available for pickup or download from our website.
 
We thank you for your continued partnership in the education of your children and assure you that we will continue to do our very best to support you and your child or children throughout these challenging times.

SC state parks to reopen with restrictions

SC State Parks Set to Reopen Friday, May 1

PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION BELOW

Following public health protocols, South Carolina State Parks plan to reopen on Friday, May 1, on a limited basis.  Group facilities like picnic shelters and community buildings, will remain closed for the time being, and visitor gathering places like interpretive centers and park offices also will remain closed initially or will operate on a limited scale.

-SCPRT will continuously monitor visitor usage and adjust visitor services as needed to ensure compliance with the guidance provided by SCDHEC and the CDC.

-Each state park plans to lower its carrying capacity, allowing a limited number of visitors at once. Levels vary by park. When a park reaches its threshold, the gates will be closed until the number of visitors decreases.

-State parks also plan to honor any existing camping and cabin reservations that were scheduled to check in on Friday, May 1, forward. Some state parks will begin taking new reservations for stays that begin May 11 forward, and all park accommodations will come back on line as staffing levels return to normal.

-State park Visitor Centers are scheduled to reopen on Monday, May 11, and feature proper signage, physical indicators and barriers in place to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. 

-All state park retail stores and spaces should open by Friday, May 15.  SCPRT will use SCDHEC and CDC guidance to determine the maximum occupancy in these common area facilities in order to maintain social distancing rules and limit contact between staff and visitors.

-Due to the difficulty of effectively cleaning equipment, all playgrounds will be closed until June 1. All playground areas will be cordoned off and signed appropriately.

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