The earliest date that a special election can be held per Kenai Peninsula Borough 4.10.050(B) is January 9, 2023, according to a memorandum document sent to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly from Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship. This is part of a discussion item that’s on the agenda for the Tuesday September 20, Policies and Procedures Committee from the Borough Assembly Chambers. It begins at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
In addition, Blankenship’s proposed election schedule includes Tuesday, October 11, 2022 – the introduction of an ordinance appropriating funds and calling for a special election and on Tuesday, October, 25, 2022 – enacting an ordinance appropriating funds and calling for a special election. Additionally, October 31 through November 14 will be the Candidate Filing Period.
Blankenship adds that if this proposed schedule is confirmed, January 17, 2023 will be an assembly meeting certifying the results of said special election with the 30th being the date a Special Mayoral Runoff Election will be held if no candidate receives 50% + 1 of the votes cast at that Special Mayoral Election. A special mayoral Runoff Election will have to be conducted no later than two weeks after the Special Mayoral Election is certified.
$250,000 is the proposed minimum to cover both the Special Election and a Runoff Election if required.
In citing the timing of special elections, Borough Code states that the assembly may call a special election at any time at least 75 days prior to the date of the election. Unless the assembly has set a date for a required special election, the election supervisor shall call a special election when required by law or ordinance to place an initiative, referendum, recall or other question before the voters.
Additionally, state statute says that a vacancy in the office of mayor occurring six months before a regular election shall be filled by the governing body. The person appointed serves until the next regular election when a successor is elected to serve the balance of the term. If a member of the governing body is appointed mayor, the member shall resign the seat on the governing body. If a vacancy occurs more than six months before a regular election, the governing body shall call a special election to fill the unexpired term.
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