Columbia council sets timeline to call special election Aug. 5 to fill Ward 2 vacancy

The Columbia City Council discussed the process to fill the Ward 2 vacancy created by the May resignation of Lisa Meyer and indicated a preference to hold a special election on Aug. 5, 2025, under a timeline staff presented May 5.

At the start of the pre‑council meeting the Mayor told council that the city had received Meyer’s resignation effective May 16 and asked to reserve time at the end of the meeting to discuss special‑election timing. City staff said state law requires an election because more than one year remains on the term, and council has authority to select a different election date if it wishes.

Staff outlined a timetable tied to an Aug. 5 election date: publication of the election notice in the newspaper on May 11; nominating packets made available May 13; the filing period closing June 3 at 5 p.m.; and the county election authority needing candidate names by June 10 to meet absentee‑ballot…