Council Vacancy Process

According to Mike Rooney, manager of Pierce County Elections, here is how the election for Dorothy Bailey will proceed:

• Since Ms. Bailey moved out after the withdrawal period, it was too late to formally withdraw from the election.
• The county will presumably certify the election with her as the winner since she leads in the votes by a wide margin.
• If Ms. Bailey cannot take the oath of office, the council seat becomes vacant.
• The town council can use whatever process they choose to fill the vacancy, but they will be the ones to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
• The appointment will last until the next regular Ruston election in 2013 - so the appointment will be for two years, not the full 4 year term that Ms. Bailey was elected to.

I have contacted town officials to see what process they plan on using to fill the vacancy. They have run the gamut from appointing people with no public discussion to inviting anyone who is interested to apply in recent years.