Relating to elections to fill vacancies in elective county and city offices

This bill relates to vacancies in elected county and city offices. If a county board of supervisors or city council chooses to fill a vacancy in an elective office by appointment, the bill allows eligible electors of a county or city to submit a petition to fill the vacancy by a special election only if the remaining balance of the unexpired term is at least six months. The bill requires a county board of supervisors or city council that receives a written affirmation more than days before the next general election that an elected officer intends to resign after the next general election but before the expiration of the officer’s term of office to, by majority vote, declare that the office is vacant as of the date contained in the affirmation. The office will then appear on the ballot at the next general election with the description, “To Fill Vacancy”. The person elected at the general election will assume office as of the date of the vacancy and after a certificate of election is issued and the person has qualified by taking the oath of office, and shall serve the balance of the unexpired term.