The Town of Pawleys Island was incorporated on September 4, 1985.

Pawleys Island operates as a Council Form of government. This type of government is considered government by committee because the council exercises all legislative functions.  Council establishes policy in all matters concerning the operation of the town’s affairs. Administrative duties have been delegated by ordinance to an administrator to carry out established policy and direct the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the town. 

The council is composed of a mayor and four council members.  Each member is required to be a qualified elector, or one who has resided in the municipality for thirty (30) days prior to the election and who is eligible to vote.  Terms are two years with no term limits.  The at-large elections are non-partisan.  

Candidate filing dates are 8/1 at 12 PM thru 8/15 at 12 PM. Any non-partisan candidate who does not file by August 15^th shall not have his name placed on the ballot. Any candidate seeking office that did not file by August 15^th can run as a write-in candidate, however. The general election is set to be held on November 7th, 2023.

Additional information can be found here: https://gtcounty.org/433/Municipal-Elections

Anyone wishing to file can contact Georgetown County Elections & Voter Registration at vote@gtcounty.org or call 843-545-3339

The mayor has no powers or responsibilities beyond other council members, except to preside over council meetings and call special meetings. A mayor pro tem is elected by the council in the first regular meeting after a general election and serves a two-year term.  

Council meets the 2nd Monday of the month and meetings are governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.  The town attorney acts as parliamentarian.