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Salisbury Council tables proposed rules for filling vacancies; asks for election-board briefing
Summary
The council discussed a proposed policy for filling council vacancies, agreed to bar mail-in ballots in special elections and asked staff to schedule a meeting with the city election board and county director before taking action; the item was tabled pending that briefing.
The Salisbury City Council on May 11 discussed proposed changes to the council vacancy appointment process but agreed to table the item until after a briefing with election officials about special-election logistics.
Staff framed the draft as a policy and procedures package to clarify timelines and steps for filling vacancies. Council members asked that the draft explicitly prohibit mail-in ballots for special elections; council voiced concern that time and logistics would make mail ballots impractical for a special election. One council member said the timeline would make mailing ballots difficult and another asked that the process require applicants to submit resumes and proof of residency to the board of elections for verification.
The policy under consideration would require applicants to make a public presentation in an open work session; council members agreed interviews should use consistent, preapproved questions, drafted by HR and legal, so candidates face the same evaluation.
Council members also proposed scheduling a meeting with the city election board and the Wicomico County Board of Elections director to clarify what a special election would look like and whether a standalone work session or public meeting would be appropriate. Staff agreed to draft a policy and an accompanying resolution and to return with the county board of elections for a future work session. The item was tabled until that presentation occurs.
No formal action to change the appointment policy was taken at this meeting; council asked staff to draft a policy, add specific language barring mail-in ballots for special elections, and prepare materials for a public work session with election officials.
