Special election

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

While looking on the city website for the library hours, I came across this notice:

Board Of Aldermen Sets Calendar For Special Election To Fill At-Large Vacancy

SOMERVILLE – Board of Election Commissioners Chairman Nicholas Salerno announced today the dates and deadlines approved by the Board of Aldermen Thursday for the City’s Special Election for Alderman at Large. The election will be held to fill the Board seat vacated when State Representative Denise Provost resigned on October 26, 2006. The Preliminary Election will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2007, and the Final Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2007.


Anyone have any links to the candidates?

Comments

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what's the difference between the "preliminary election" and the "final election"? Is the prelim. a primary?

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Not really.

As I understand it it's simply because there are 3 candidates. The top 2 from this election will run head-to-head in May. Had only 2 ran there would only be a single election. I'm not sure why they do it like that.

It only happens in special elections - for the regular election the top 4 vote-getters (for alderman-at-large) win. The crazy thing is whoever wins is going to have to run again in November (the regular cycle).

[ron_newman]

No, it happens in all city elections. If more than 8 people run for alderman-at-large, the preliminary eliminates all but the top 8. Those remaining candidates then contend in the final for the 4 seats.

I stand corrected

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Thanks Ron

Re: I stand corrected

[ron_newman]

Understandable -- I don't think this has happened in several years.