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The City of Houghton’s Election Commission voted unanimously to schedule a special contest slated for May 3rd to fill the open council seat created by Dan Salo’s resignation. Salo is planning to winter in warmer weather beginning this year.
The council had a chance to select one of eight applicants at the regular meeting scheduled for the 17th, but failed after three rounds of voting. The special election can only happen in May, August, or November per state rules and it is mandated to occur less than 120 days after the vacancy occurs.
Clerk Ann Vollrath says that anyone who meets the requirements laid out in the city’s charter is eligible and there is no charge. They are required to present between 40 and 60 signatures by the filing deadline.
Another meeting of the three-person election commission will be necessary next year to change precinct locations.
Vollrath is concerned that having one precinct serve voters for two separate county commissioner seats will result in the potential for mistakes. Houghton’s second precinct currently casts ballots at Dee Stadium on Lakeshore Drive.
