In the near future, I will introduce legislation to update Pennsylvania law governing how vacancies are filled in city and county offices.
This bill creates a clear, democratic process for filling vacancies in the offices of mayor, city council, and county commissioner. Rather than allowing these seats to remain occupied by long-term appointees, it requires a special election whenever a vacancy occurs due to death, resignation, removal, or any other cause.

Key features of the proposal:

• Interim officers may be appointed only to keep operations running until election results are certified.
• Interim appointees may not run in the special election.
• County boards of elections must hold a special election within 90 days of a declared vacancy. If the office is partisan, a special primary must occur within 60 days, followed by the election within 30 days of certification.

Our democracy is strongest when the people choose their representatives. At present, many of these vacancies are filled solely by appointment, leaving voters without a voice for the remainder of a term. This bill ensures that the electorate — not a small group of officials or a court — decides who will complete the unexpired term.
By establishing a clear timeline and preventing appointees from using their temporary status as an advantage, this proposal strengthens fairness, transparency, and public confidence in local government.

I invite you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation and put the choice back in the hands of the people.