Richland council asks Benton County to place special election on Nov. 2026 ballot to fill vacant council seat

The Richland City Council on March 3 unanimously approved Resolution 2026-29 asking the Benton County Auditor to place a special election on the Nov. 2026 ballot to fill the vacancy in Council Position No. 4.

Kinsley explained that the vacancy arose when Donald Landsman, who had been elected to Position No. 4 in 2025, died before taking office. Kinsley told the council the city charter provides for temporary appointment until a successor is elected and that the charter allows a special election to fill a partial term. Kinsley cited a 2000 attorney general opinion and state law distinguishing full municipal terms (which occur in odd-numbered years) from filling unexpired, partial terms.

"So the long and short of it is, it's not a full term, it's a partial term," Kinsley said, describing the charter and state-law framework for the proposed election. Kinsley said a successful candidate elected this November would take office at the first regular or special meeting following certification and serve through Dec. 31, 2029.

Council took the item by consent and approved the resolution without recorded opposition. The resolution directs the county auditor to place the special election measure on the Nov. 2026 ballot; the council did not specify a replacement appointment at this meeting.

Next steps: the Benton County Auditor will place the special-election item on the Nov. 2026 ballot and, following certification, the winner will assume the seat to complete the term through Dec. 31, 2029.