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Astoria council adopts STAR voting, question set and public‑comment rules for Ward 4 appointment
Summary
The Astoria City Council finalized four interview questions, chose STAR (score‑then‑automatic‑runoff) voting to select a Ward 4 appointee and set a prioritized public‑comment process (Ward 4 residents first, two minutes per speaker, up to 45 minutes) ahead of a Dec. 1 appointment.
The Astoria City Council set a process on Thursday to fill the Ward 4 vacancy, adopting a four‑question interview format, STAR voting to rank applicants, and a prioritized public‑comment system that gives residents of Ward 4 first opportunity to speak.
Council President Adams and councilors agreed the panel would ask each candidate four questions chosen by members — including what the candidate sees as the role of a city councilor and how they prioritize decision‑making — and that staff would distribute the final questions to applicants ahead of the Dec. 1 interviews. "What do you feel is the most important aspect of the role of city councilor and how you base those decisions?" was confirmed as one of the core questions.
Mayor Fitzpatrick asked for candid answers about recent changes in candidates’ lives and said he wanted to hear how applicants’ circumstances had changed since the 2024 filing period: "What in your life has changed in the 18 months since the filing period opened for the 2024 election that has prompted your interest in running for the recently vacated seat?" he asked.
To select a finalist, the council agreed to use STAR voting — a system where members score candidates and the top two proceed to an automatic runoff — with a post‑vote nomination and confirmation step. Staff explained that the STAR procedure will be used to narrow the field and that, once finalists emerge, councilors will deliberate and may nominate and vote to appoint. Councilor Davis said STAR voting "is an elegant system" and supported the approach, noting online tools can tabulate results quickly.
Public comment for the appointment meeting will be limited to two minutes per speaker and a total public‑comment window of roughly 45 minutes (flexible depending on turnout). The council directed staff to collect sign‑ups that include a speaker’s preferred candidate so the record will reflect the distribution of support. The mayor and other councilors emphasized prioritizing Ward 4 residents first, then Ward 4 business owners, then the general public, while encouraging written submissions and emails from those unable to attend.
On tie‑breaking, councilors discussed options including additional revotes, deliberation and — if necessary — random selection. They agreed to finalize a tie‑breaking method if and when a tie occurs on Dec. 1 so the council can be deliberate but also decisive that evening.
Staff will finalize the candidate question list after the Nov. 19 public open house, publish the STAR voting procedures and prepare sign‑up materials and an evidence record of written comments for the Dec. 1 appointment.
The council scheduled the candidate open house for Nov. 19 and the Dec. 1 interview and appointment meeting.
