At a special meeting Sept. 2, 2025, the Athens City Council adopted a resolution declaring Chris Seibert duly elected to City Council District 1 after the only other qualified candidate withdrew before the Aug. 26 election.

The resolution states that one other person filed a statement of candidacy before the statutory deadline but withdrew in writing to the mayor before the election, leaving Chris Seibert as the only remaining candidate. Citing that circumstance, the council resolved that Seibert is declared duly elected to the office, with the term to begin the first Monday in November 2025. The resolution was adopted by roll call vote, 5-0.

City staff said the resolution was drafted to recognize the unopposed candidate because an earlier withdrawal prevented issuance of a certificate of election at the time of qualification. Staff also said copies of the certificate will be filed with the probate judge’s office, the League of Municipalities and the Secretary of State, and an extra copy will be available for the newly elected member to sign and retain.