New proposed law calls for special election to fill vacant Columbus Council seats
Members of the Columbus delegation in the Georgia House of Representatives have filed a bill, HB 1339, that would require special elections to fill vacancies for the offices of Columbus mayor and city council.
Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley (D-141), state Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-137) and state Rep. Teddy Reese (D-140) are sponsoring the bill, which was filed Feb. 17, following four recent council vacancies and appointments that have lasted up to 22 months, according to their news release.
If passed, HB 1339 would require a special election to be held to fill the seat if a vacancy on the Columbus Council occurs more than 90 days before the date of a general election. This special election must be issued within 30 days after a vacancy has been established, the bill says.
If the vacancy occurs within 90 days of a general election, the remaining members of the Columbus Council can, by majority vote, select a qualified person to serve the remainder of the term.
If a vacancy for the office of Columbus mayor occurs, the mayor pro tempore would be acting mayor until a successor is elected.
“Hearing directly from citizens who’ve felt left out of the process by having long-term vacancies filled by appointees, we’ve introduced HB 1339 to ensure voters have a say in who represents them in elected leadership positions,” the news release says. “We want the voice of the people restored.”
Last September, Columbus Councilor Travis Chambers of citywide District 10 sponsored a resolution that would have requested the local delegation introduce an amendment to the Columbus Charter ensuring a council seat remains empty for at least 30 days after a vacancy before someone is appointed to fill the seat.
This item was pulled during the Sept. 24 meeting before the council could discuss the issue. Chambers did not elaborate on why he pulled the resolution, but he said a process needed to be established that “reflects the principles of fairness, transparency and due process.”
Criticism about this process arose after the council filled former Councilor Judy Thomas’ citywide District 9 seat by appointing John Anker in a 6-3 vote during the same meeting in which she resigned.
Anker’s appointment led to backlash from some citizens and organizations.
