Laurens County Election Commission Upholds Registration of County Council Member-Elect Arthur Lee Philson Jr.

January 13, 2025

The Laurens County Election Commission held a hearing this morning to address a voter registration challenge filed by incoming county council chairman W. Brown Patterson Jr. against Arthur Lee Philson Jr., the recently elected council member for District 1, and his wife, Cassandra Grant Philson. Patterson alleged that the Philsons did not reside at their registered address, 3212 Milam Road in Clinton, SC, and that their registrations were therefore invalid.

The hearing, presided over by county attorney Wes Meetze, included arguments and evidence from both sides. Patterson’s legal team presented tax records, affidavits of non-service, and claims of the property’s lack of utility services since 2019 to support their contention that the Philsons did not live at the Milam Road address. Arthur Lee Philson, representing himself, countered with photographs, mail addressed to him at the address in question from government agencies, and testimony from witnesses attesting to his connection to the property.

Following a brief deliberation in executive session, the commission unanimously voted 5-0 to uphold Arthur Lee Philson Jr.’s voter registration, affirming his eligibility to serve as a council member. However, the commission found Cassandra Grant Philson’s registration invalid in a 0-5 decision.