FLINT, Mich. — Nearly four months after the death of Councilman Quincy Murphy, the City of Flint is moving forward with a primary election and a general election to fill the vacant Third Ward seat.
On Jan. 8, the council agreed to hold a primary election on May 6 and a general election on Aug. 5 to select a councilmember to complete Murphy’s term, which was set to end in 2026.
Flint City Clerk Davina Donahue noted that Michigan state law allows special elections only in specific cases, such as vacancies in Congress or the state Senate. City elections must occur on predetermined election dates.
During the Jan. 8 meeting, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Judy Priestley provided clarity on the selected dates for the elections. “The earliest we can have an election based on state law is May, for the primary, with the election happening in August,” Priestley said.
On Jan. 7, Flint City Counsel began court-ordered mediation in effort to break the political gridlock that has prevented an appointment to the vacant third ward seat. The court-ordered mediation comes after the Flint Ethics and Accountability Board filed a complaint.
The top two candidates from the May primary will advance to the August election, where the winner will assume the Third Ward seat.
On Jan. 13, the city announced the selection of three Third Ward Ambassadors. The names of the selected Ambassadors will be announced at a city hall press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
“The Third Ward Ambassadors are an essential step in strengthening the connection between residents and their city government,” Chief of Staff, City of Flint, Ed Taylor stated in a news release. “Pursuant to the charter the appointment should have occurred 30 days after the vacancy. The council is now in violation of the city’s charter.”