Many Voices Calling for Cancellation of Special Election
By Lauren Bennett
The City Council Committee on Government Operations, chaired by Councilor Lydia Edwards, held a hearing on January 26 regarding a home rule petition filed by Councilor Ricardo Arroyo “which will amend the city’s charter” should there be a vacancy in the office of mayor, she said. In the case of this home rule petition, the Council chair will become the mayor “for the remainder of the term,” Edwards added.
Currently, the city charter says that if the mayor leaves before March 5, the City Council is “required to call for a special election to fill that vacancy,” Edwards said at the hearing. Should there be a special election, there will be a primary and a general election, as well as a primary and a general election in November as well, for a total of four elections.