S.C. Code Ann. § 5-15-63: Determination of election results under nonpartisan primary election and general election method.

(a) In municipalities whose elections are nonpartisan and which use the nonpartisan primary election and general election method, there shall be a primary election to reduce the field of candidates to two candidates for each position to be filled, if when the filing period closes there are more than two candidates for a single office or the number of candidates for a group of offices exceeds twice the number of positions to be filled. If only one or two candidates file for a single office, no primary election shall be held for that office and the candidates shall be declared nominated.

(b) In the primary election the two candidates for a single office receiving the highest number of votes and those candidates for a group of offices receiving the highest number of votes, equal to twice the number of positions to be filled, shall be declared nominated.

(c) In the election, the names of those candidates declared nominated without a primary election and those candidates nominated in the primary election shall be placed on the ballot. The candidate for a single office receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Those candidates for a group of offices receiving the highest number of votes, equal in number to the number of positions to be filled, shall be declared elected.