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Council opts for appointment process to fill District 3 vacancy; applications due mid‑August, interviews set for Sept. 8
Summary
After residents urged a special election, the council voted to use the appointment process to fill the District 3 alderman vacancy, citing statutory deadlines and election costs. The city set an application deadline of August 14, 2026, adopted interview guidelines, and scheduled candidate interviews and a council vote for September 8, 2026.
The St. Francis Common Council voted May 19 to use the council appointment process to fill the vacant District 3 alderman seat and established a schedule for applications and interviews.
Paul, the city attorney appearing in council proceedings, explained Wisconsin statutory options for filling an elected vacancy: appointment by the council for the remainder of the term, appointment until a special election can be held, or a special election. He told the council the statutory deadline for adding the vacancy to the November general‑election ballot had passed (the notice would have had to be posted by May 11), so the council cannot place the vacancy on this year’s November ballot. He said a standalone special election is possible in spring 2027 but would be costlier; the city administrator estimated a freestanding special election could cost roughly $6,000 to $8,000 (estimates discussed in the meeting ranged around that figure).
Several District 3 residents, including Kendall Fulmer, Marty Sahorski and others, urged the council to hold a special election so voters—not councilmembers—choose the replacement. Sahorski said his group gathered 676 petition signatures and urged a democratic process; Kendall Fulmer noted strong recent turnout in District 3 and suggested an interim appointment combined with a later election.
Council members weighing representation and cost favored appointment to restore representation quickly. The council approved a motion to establish August 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. as the deadline for submission of letters of interest and supporting documentation to the clerk/treasurer’s office, adopted interview guidelines and ballot/appointment procedures, and scheduled a special council meeting for candidate interviews and a vote on September 8, 2026. The clerk’s office will publish the notice in the city newsletter and on the city website and will accept applications beginning immediately through the deadline.
The motion passed with the required majority. Councilmembers said the appointment approach had been used before and emphasized that residents would have ample notice and an opportunity to apply. If the council later chooses to conduct a special election, the city will have to follow statutory notice and cost requirements.
