A special election will be held on Nov. 9 to fill the unexpired term of Seat 3 on the City Council, following the passing of Council Member Charles E. “Chuck” Cooper on June 12.

During a regularly scheduled City Council meeting last week, Council members voted to hold the special election on November 9, 2021. If needed, a primary election will be held on October 5, and the top two vote-getters will face each other in the Nov. 9 special election. The qualification period for candidates begins at noon on Monday, July 19, and ends at noon on Friday, July 23.

Council Member Cooper passed away on June 12, just months into his fourth term on City Council. His service to the city spanned nearly 40 years, dating back to his first election to the Council in 1985, and was a highly respected member of the community.

The City Charter requires a special election be held if a Council seat is vacated more than six months from the scheduled end of the term. The person elected to the seat in the special election will serve the remainder of the term, which ends in November 2024.