S.C. Code § 44-7-920
Before any such city or town may establish and build a hospital under the terms of this article, a petition, signed by a majority of the freeholders of such municipality, shall be presented to the city council, setting forth the purpose thereof and the amount of the bonded indebtedness to be incurred, if any, with the request that the question of the establishment and maintenance of a municipal hospital be submitted to the qualified electors of such municipality, either in a special election called for that purpose or at the time of the regular election of city officials. Upon receipt of such petition, the city council may, by ordinance or resolution setting forth the purposes of the election, the amount of the proposed bonded indebtedness to be incurred, if any, and any other pertinent facts, order an election for that purpose, first giving at least thirty days' notice of such election before the holding thereof, with the question or questions to be submitted, in one or more newspapers published in such city or town, if one be published therein and, if not, then in the newspaper published nearest to such city or town and having general circulation therein, and posting notices of the election in three conspicuous places in such city or town. Such election shall be held at the usual place or places in such city or town according to the law governing municipal elections therein, and the votes shall be canvassed and the results declared in the same manner as in the election of officers for such municipality.
S.C. Code § 44-7-920