Aiken council certifies Nov. 5 results and swears in four new members

The Aiken City Council on Nov. 24 accepted the municipal election commission’s report and administered the oath of office to four newly elected council members.

The city’s election commission reported 2,728 ballots cast in the Nov. 5 general election and presented vote totals before certifying the winners. "We hereby now certify the election of Lehi B. Price to District 2, Peter Messina to District 4, Braylon D. Waldo to District 5 and Barbara Morgan to District 6," the commission spokesperson said during the report. The record shows the commission reported 2,607 votes for Lehi B. Price, 674 for Peter Messina, 362 for Braylon D. Waldo and 468 for Barbara Morgan.

Council then administered the statutory oath of office. Each newly elected council member repeated the oath affirming they are "duly qualified according to the constitution of this state" and pledged to preserve and defend the state and U.S. constitutions. The swearing-in concluded with brief congratulations from the mayor and a five‑minute recess.

The certification and swearing-in complete the formal post‑election procedures required for municipal officeholders. Council took no further action related to the election at the meeting.

What happens next: the newly seated members will assume their duties immediately and council resumed its agenda after the recess.