The Dane County Executive Committee recommended that the County Board approve a sub‑1 amendment that shortens the maximum appointment period for county board vacancies and directs special elections to occur on regular election days.

Committee members said the change aligns county practice with state law and makes it more likely that larger numbers of voters — rather than a smaller off‑cycle electorate — will decide who fills a vacancy. Supervisor Engelberger moved the committee recommendation; the motion carried and the item was forwarded to the full County Board for final action.

The amendment reduces the length of time an appointee may serve before facing an election and, as drafted in the sub, increases the likelihood that a special election will be scheduled on an established election date (for example, the first Tuesday in November or the next spring election) rather than an ad‑hoc date.

Supporters said the sub reduces the potential for long interim appointments. "This language is no different than what it was prior as far as that goes with regard to appointing," Supervisor Engelberger said, noting that state statute provides for appointments in the event of vacancies. Supervisor Kim added, "When in doubt, go to what the law says," urging deference to the state statute cited during debate.

Supervisors also discussed equity concerns for districts with large student populations. Supervisor Kim warned that transient student voters could be disadvantaged by off‑cycle elections and urged the committee to consider how timing would affect turnout in different parts of Dane County. Supervisor Posler noted the steps required for an appointment — signature collection by interested candidates and a public hearing in the affected district — and said those procedures make the chair’s role less unilateral than some public comments had suggested.

The committee record shows the item was recommended to the County Board; no final County Board vote is recorded in the committee transcript.

The committee did not alter other substantive provisions of the ordinance during its recommendation; correspondents and some supervisors said the sub was shorter than earlier drafts and was intended to increase voter participation in vacancy elections.

The ordinance will next appear on the County Board agenda for final consideration.