Three candidates vie for Hilton Head Island mayor as potential runoff looms

HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WTOC) - Hilton Head Island voters are casting ballots Tuesday to decide who will serve as the town’s next mayor in a three-way contest that could extend into a runoff election.Incumbent Mayor Alan Perry faces challenges from Dave Ferguson and Palmer Simmons.Under Hilton Head Island municipal election rules, a candidate must secure a majority — 50% plus one vote — to win the seat outright. With three contenders on the ballot splitting the vote, none may clear that threshold on election night.If no candidate secures an outright majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a head-to-head runoff election to determine the winner.Polls remain open as voters across the island decide whether to keep Perry in office or elect a new municipal leader.