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Council discusses election certification delay; current members to remain until successors sworn
Summary
Council reviewed charter provisions after a state law change allowing overseas absentee ballots to be counted after Election Day. Corporation counsel said county certification will likely be delayed; until certification and the swearing-in, current officeholders will continue in their roles. Clerk Bauer reported two outstanding overseas ballots and signature-cure deadlines.
Council discussed how recent state law changes affecting absentee ballot timelines could delay county certification and the swearing-in of newly elected officials. The council chair reviewed charter language saying terms commence at 12:01 p.m. on the designated date, but corporation counsel explained state law now allows additional time to count overseas absentee ballots and that county certification may therefore be delayed.
Corporation counsel told the chair that current officers "will continue to serve until his successor is elected and has qualified" and that the clerk should schedule swearing-in as soon as certification allows. Clerk Bauer said two overseas ballots remain outstanding and mentioned a separate signature-cure process with an approaching deadline.
What to watch: certification timelines and any legal challenges or recount requests could change the date for seating new members; the council noted the possibility of a temporary scheduling impact for the meeting on the 18th depending on certification timing.
