Atlantic Beach Town Council election case upheld

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Supreme Court has refused to reconsider its decision that kicked two members off the Atlantic Beach Town Council.

The justices ruled earlier this month that the Atlantic Beach Election Commission consciously decided to ignore the will of the voters when it overturned the results of a 2009 election, giving the two council seats to women who finished third and fourth in the voting because it ruled the top two finishers were not eligible to serve.

The commission and the sitting councilwomen asked the justices to reconsider, but they refused.

The decision clears Carolyn Cole and Windy Price to take their seats on the council, but an Atlantic Beach official said no date has been set for them to be sworn in.

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