Charter Review Committee recommends favoring November elections to fill council vacancies, flags ambiguity in charter language

The Charter Review Committee on Thursday reviewed a subcommittee draft report that recommends replacing appointed council members in most cases at the November general election rather than at a primary, citing higher turnout, lower marginal cost and better representation.

The subcommittee report, presented by Member Neuswanger, said the council was concerned that appointees who are selected in the second half of a term can face successive elections (primary then general) and serve only five to eight months before being replaced, which it described as “disruptive and inefficient of time and money.” The subcommittee recommended using the November election to replace appointees when possible and retaining flexibility so the council may still call a standalone special election when political or financial…