Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richmond council adopts ordinance after tied local election, clerk to contact tied candidates
Summary
The Richmond City Council adopted Bill No. 26-06 confirming official returns for April 7, 2026, after tie votes in Ward I and Ward IV and directed the city clerk to contact tied candidates about electing a winner by lottery or pursuing a special election; the city must submit ballot questions to Ray County by May 26 to schedule an August 4 election if needed.
The Richmond City Council on April 14 approved Bill No. 26-06, an ordinance declaring the official results of the April 7 municipal election after tied votes in Ward I (one-year term) and Ward IV (two-year term).
City Attorney Chris Williams explained the ordinance and the next steps: the City Clerk will contact the tied candidates to ask whether they prefer resolution by a lottery drawing or by requesting a special election. If a special election is chosen, ballot questions must be submitted to the Ray County Election Authority by May 26 to allow an August 4 election date. Current councilors will retain their seats until any new councilor is elected.
The council approved the ordinance after a twice-repeated title-only reading and a roll-call vote, 8-0. The clerk carried out the required readings and the council formally accepted Bill No. 26-06 into ordinance during the meeting.
The vote sets an administrative timetable rather than immediately seating a new council member; the clerk’s contacts with the involved candidates will determine whether the tie is resolved by lot or by a special election. Detailed procedural steps referenced by the city were described by City Attorney Williams during the meeting.
