The New Bedford City Council on Oct. 9 voted to take no further action on a temporary Republican appointment to the Board of Election Commissioners and tabled consideration of a second candidate after councilors raised concerns about the administration’s timeline and legal authority.

Councilors said the matter matters because the appointments concern oversight of local elections ahead of the Nov. 4 preliminary election. Councilor Sean Oliver urged caution and criticized the administration’s pace, saying the handling “just undermines the process.”

Councilors reviewed a timeline that, as presented in council discussion, began with a resignation letter from longtime election-commission member Lisa Dunaway dated Feb. 12, 2025, and a term that expired in April 2025. Councilors said they received no follow-up until months later, when a September 17 inquiry from local Republican committee member Bob McConnell prompted a response from the administration indicating it would solicit potential nominees. Councilors said another communication on Oct. 3 signaled an emergency appointment process. Oliver said the sequence suggested a last-minute effort rather than the months-long outreach councilors expected.

Councilor Morehead challenged the legal basis for the mayor’s emergency appointment, saying the mayor lacked authority under state law to make the appointment in the manner attempted. “John Mitchell has no authority to make an appointment to the election commission under an emergency statute. It doesn’t exist,” Morehead said, adding later, “You’re not King Mitchell.”

After debate, Councilor Oliver moved to take no further action on Item 8, the communication appointing Patricia LaRue as a temporary Republican member; the motion, seconded by Councilor Lopes, passed following a voice vote. Separately, councilors agreed to table Item 9, concerning Daniel Higgins, until a formal appointment is submitted. Council President Shane Burgo was absent and had earlier submitted a letter explaining his absence.

Councilors said their concerns included transparency about why the administration did not act earlier, whether local party committees were given time to submit nominees, and the proximity to the Nov. 4 election. The council did not adopt any ordinance or direct staff to pursue litigation; no formal court action was taken at the meeting.

The council’s actions leave the mayor’s temporary appointment unresolved and the permanent appointment deferred pending further documentation or a future council action.

A follow-up could appear before the council when the administration submits a formal appointment packet or if the council requests an emergency meeting to act before the Nov. 4 election.